Gerald's magical banger

He beat the competition with his Devil's Bite sausage and was presented with his trophy by Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee who led the search to find Britain's Magical Bangers by tasting the best sizzlers in the country.

Gerald has won a prestigious Banger Award, a place on the British Sausage Week 2009 map of award-winning sausages, and received 150 to donate to his favourite charity.

Magician Paul Daniels commented: "The standard of entries has been so high this year that it was truly difficult to pick just one winner from the finalists. Having said that, the Devil's Bite was absolutely delicious, and truly is the Magical Banger for the south."

Gerald said: "I was really surprised and delighted to win. I never imagined I'd get this far when I submitted my entry a few weeks ago. It was great to meet Paul and Debbie, and be a part of British Sausage Week 2009 - I've had a fantastic time."

It's not the first time Gerald has come back from prestigious competitions with recognition and a prize - he has won gold and silver medals galore.

He puts success down to the hard work and skill of his entire team and claims each person contributes to the excellent end result.

Gerald has worked as a butcher for 43 years having learned at his father's side.

"Dad was a butcher so I grew up in the trade. He started off in 1956 when I was six or seven years old. The whole family worked in there, my mum, my sister, we all had our jobs to do, and I remember after school I would wash the trays. I literally grew up in the trade and can't imagine not doing it - I thoroughly enjoy it."

Competitions have been an enjoyable extra, but Gerald says they are important to the business as well.

"We like to think what we do is good. Competitions are a way of measuring the quality of the goods that we produce and meat that we sell. The sausages are by and large judged by people who are experts in the industry, the top names in the meat and herb and spice trades, so the standard they look for is very high. We like to think when we are judged each year at these competitions and come back with a clutch of golds that we are doing it right...we are doing the best for our customers. We are an out-of-town shop so we need to sell good quality food."