A BUTCHER is determined the cancellation of this year's Darlington mart's Christmas prime stock show will not cause a beef with his customers.

Mr Paul Taylor, of butchers H Taylor and Son, usually buys the show winner to sell at his Skinnergate shop.

But, undaunted, he has turned to regular prize winning farmer Mr Geoff Walton, of Hurworth, to supply his best Christmas beef.

Mr Taylor said: "Nine times out of ten we buy the show winner, but if we think Geoff's looks better we buy his as well.

"We would normally display the beef with the winner's trophy and rosettes, but of course we can't do that this year."

Mr Watson has 380 cattle at his Roundhill Road farm on the edge of Hurworth village.

Mr Taylor was at the farm this week and said he intended to buy at least three of Mr Watson's Belgian Blue cross heifers and bullocks.

"We have been buying from Geoff for about 12 years and his stock is always show winning standard," he said. "It will be in the shop for December 22."