A BUTCHER says the horse meat scandal led to a 30 per cent increase in his trade last week.

Bernie Longhurst, whose business operates in Brucewood Parade, Marlow Bottom, said more people are coming to him for their meat having lost trust in supermarkets.

And he has used humour to attract more interest, displaying signs outside the shop saying 'home made burgers 100% beef no added salt or shergar' and 'no horsing around'.

He told the MFP: "I was up 30 per cent last week and I hope it continues. The customers all say the same - 'we're not going to shop there anymore (the supermarket) we want to know where it comes from'."

A Europe wide investigation was sparked after horse DNA was discovered in frozen ready meals sold at supermarkets, with a string of products, some sold by big names in the industry, also then found to be affected as well.

Mr Longhurst was unsurprised by the revelations to some extent because he has long wondered how such cheap meat products could be offered.

He said: "I've been doing this 40 years. Butchers have known throughout the years it costs money to breed an animal, a farmers has got his overheads, vet bills, insurance etc, it all comes at a price.

"At the end of the day you get what you pay for. To make proper burgers unfortunately it comes at costs, if you want to cut corners that's what you get. How can you make six burgers for £1 as some shops have offered?"

The key difference his shop offers is that everything is traceable, he said, adding he believes the scandal so far is just the tip of the iceberg.

Kerry Grant, 40, a housewife, from Marlow Bottom stopped off at the store after being amused by the signs outside, She said: "I loved it, it was hilarious. It made me pull over to have a look, it's very good and it made my day."

Of the scandal, she said: ""There's no doubt in my mind that we've eaten horse at some point.It disgusts me to be honest, horses are beautiful so it makes me sick to my stomach. I'll definitely be using the butchers and wont be buying supermarket products until this is sorted."