Butcher Don Riley caters for every customer's needs, says one satisfied reader.

Mr Riley's shop has been established on Green Lane in Ashton on Mersey for more than 22 years.

And a reader reckons the shop's exceptional service makes it their first choice for the Counter Action 'roll of honour'.

Owner Don Riley said: "Ninety nine percent of our customers are regular faces, people who we see from week to week - a lot have been with me since day one"

Mr Riley thinks the key to the shop's success is their values. He said: "We give our customers the personal service that they don't get in larger stores.

"With fewer and fewer local butchers around the emphasis really is on quality and service."

He admits that due to supermarkets opening 24 hours and shoppers having the convenience of being able to do their shopping at any time day or night, there is a challenge to the local butcher, but feels that his shop has the right qualities to continue succeeding.

He said: "We work on the assumption that even if there was a big supermarket next to us, we would still offer all our customers personal service, quality produce and reasonable prices".

Don said of the nomination: "We are really proud, chuffed to bits - we've been reading the Messenger, looking for the Counter Action pieces since it began".

Reader Shirley Price who nominated the shop said: "When I was bringing up my family on good, fresh produce, Don was there; now I am on my own, he is still there.

He's always cheerful and will always cut exactly to ones' needs. He deserves a mention."