BUTCHER David Livesey's sizzlers have won rare Euro recognition.

His family firm, Livesey, Traditional Fresh Sausages Ltd., has been awarded EFSIS (European Food Safety Inspection Service) accreditation and David is delighted.

Managing director David said: "It means everything that goes through the factory is checked, so much so that we can even tell people where a pig was born if we needed to."

David decided to go it alone two years ago after spending 18 years working for a Cheetham Hill company, and he has never looked back.

He asked his postman which was the safest place to be and took his advice to set up on Leigh's Moss Industrial Estate.

He said: "We are glad we did, it's a nice estate with nice gardens and good security and we have never had a minute's trouble. This award is a credit to everyone - especially Gary Roberts. We believe we approved to the highest level in this region for sausage manufacture and we will continue to meet the most stringent standards."

The factory was launched with a staff of four and has grown to 15 with wife, Alison, working in the office and son, David, on the production line alongside his dad.

They serve some of the big superstores with their Made in Leigh sausages -- including Iceland, Asda and Kwik Save -- and cafes and pubs.

They produce 13 different brands including beef and stout, beef and kidney, wild boar and venison.

Proud Gary Roberts, the company's operations director who was promoted from head of quality control, said: "We have always put quality first, working to the highest standards in the industry."