COOKED meats, pies, faggots, cheese and honey are set to be given the chop by a Bromsgrove butcher who is putting principles before profits.

Bernard Tucker has sold the products in his shop in the Strand for the past 44 years, but will not legally be able to sell them after November.

The reason is because he refuses to go on a health and hygiene course, the principles of which he says he has always used.

Speaking from his spotless premises, which are regularly inspected by health officers from the district council, Bernard said: "I stand to lose ten per cent of my takings, but it's a matter of principle. If, after 44 years, I don't know how to keep fresh meat separate from cooked it's time I packed it in.

"I maintain very high standards, but I think these new regulations are going too far." He says he can't think why honey should be included in the list of banned foods.

He will in future have to abide by another new rule and record the temperature of meat when it arrives in his shop and again when it goes on display.

Many customers who prefer the personal touch -- he provides seats in his shop -- are upset.

Isabel Wilkinson, who has bought Bernard's cheese every week for more than 20 years, said: "I'm upset I won't be able to buy it any longer."

Also set to be disappointed are customers who come to Bromsgrove from as far afield as Birmingham for his home-made faggots and visitors from overseas who take back pounds of pork scratchings.