MARLBOROUGH butcher Andy Ayris is sharpening his knives as he prepares to take on New Zealand and Australia in the Tri-Nations butchery challenge.

The prestigious competition begins on Saturday (September 5) and lasts for five days in Auckland, New Zealand, and Mr Ayris, who owns Andrews Quality Meats in the High Street with his business partner Andy Sears, is one of six butchers to have landed a place in team GB.

The three six-man teams will be challenged to turn a side of beef and whole lamb carcase into an original and creative display within two hours.

In an effort to secure a victory, team GB have held a number of practice sessions across the country and the final get-together to put the finishing touches in the quest to be the best was staged at The Food Academy at Leeds City College, last Wednesday (August 26.)

With a combined total of over 120 years' experience in the butchery industry and a wealth of skills to draw on, this year's Team GB is hoping to land the top honour and make the cut.