A dad-of-two has saved a Halstead butchers from closure.

Andrew Callaghan, 48, who lives in Great Yeldham, worked at the Meat Inn for 31 years when he discovered that the owner was retiring and wanted to sell the business.

Determined not to give up on his career, Mr Callaghan has since bought the shop, based in The Centre, off Halstead’s High Street, and said customers have been extremely supportive.

He said: “This is my third week of trading, everything is going extremely well and the amount of support we have received has really surprised me.

“I set up a Facebook group and that has been very popular.

“There are people in the group from Hong Kong and Australia and a lady from Halifax has asked me to send her some of the produce."

See this week's Halstead Gazette for the full story.