A young butcher has won a prestigious national title.
Josh Huitson, who works at Stoneygate Farm near Ravensworth, was named best retail butchery apprentice at an award ceremony in London.
Former Josh Wensleydale School pupil Josh stood out from apprentices around the country to win the coveted industry award at the Institute of Meat and Worshipful Company of Butchers last month.
He was presented his award by HRH The Princess Royal, who is a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers and Fellow of the Institute of Meat.
Josh studied business A-Level at Wensleydale School and has been working at Stoneygate Farm for two years.
He said: “It was an honour to be nominated for such an award, but to later find out that I had won the award came as a huge surprise.
“Being a student at Wensleydale School set me up tremendously for my apprenticeship. Studying business allowed me to transfer lots of skills such as marketing, finance and sales and implement them into the workplace.
“I think anyone who studies business would agree that it teaches you to think in a different way. And funnily enough, PE made learning all the bones and joints a lot easier.”
Wensleydale School headteacher Julia Polley said: “We are so happy that Josh has achieved such a prestigious award.
“I taught Josh A-Level Business and he was an absolute pleasure to work with, I know he felt the course has helped him with his career. Josh has worked hard and is an inspiration to all of us in school as to what can be achieved.
“I feel very proud that our school played a part in helping Josh achieve at such a high level.”
