A SAUSAGE-MAKER in Maldon is hoping his bangers will be crowned Britain's best at a national competition this month.
Wesley Sims, who runs Meatline on West Station Yard, will be taking his Welsh Dragon to the Sausage of the Year finals, in London, where they will be judged by comedian and pub landlord Al Murray.
"We won the best of British sausage competition in Maldon earlier in the year, and now our sausages are in the national final," said Mr Sims, 34-year-old director of Meatline.
"We're entering our Welsh Dragon variety, which is a firm yet fluffy pork and leek sausage with a delicate after-touch of chilli.
"It's 100 per cent pork and made on our premises. It's definitely a popular choice with lots of our customers."
The company was started 25 years ago and supplies a number of hotels, pubs and restaurants with their locally-sourced produce.
Mr Sims added: "We're really looking forward to the competition – being in the final is quite an achievement.
"Being in the local Maldon competition, held by the East Essex Smallholders Group, enabled Meatline to open up supply lines with people growing and producing locally.
"True field-to-fork traceability.
"We have had a pure bred rare breed Large Black, from Jenkins Farm in Stisted, reared in the vegetable garden and orchard of Nick Elcombe, a barrister who works in London.
"We will be producing some rare breed sausages next week."
And, with a deli in Maldon selling their speciality sausages, the company is planning to expand even further.
"We have a retail shop in Maldon supplying the public with catering-grade produce at trade prices," added Mr Sims.
"But we will be offering a home delivery service in the Chelmsford area from October 27.
"This means more people can take advantage of our high quality produce at below supermarket prices."
The competition will be held on October 26, at Butchers Hall, London.
For more information about Meatline, visit www.meatline.co.uk or call 07966 466 886.
