A butcher has beaten the Dutch at their own game - and is also breaking down political barriers in one of the last bastions of the communist world.

Chris Battle, pictured, who owns Jack Scaife butchers in Oakworth, has won two top awards for the quality of his bacon in an international competition.

The butcher, who specialises in dry-cured, oak-smoked back bacon and unsmoked back bacon, won top Gold star awards at the Freshfood 2003 event in Utrecht.

His sausages and rindless, unsmoked back bacon have proved a sizzling success in Cuba, where British meat products are banned.

The Cubans were won over after samples were airlifted to Havana with a trade delegation of Agri-Food specialists from Yorkshire's East Riding.

Now the Cubans are thinking of loosening their trade barrier and are in talks with the UK's chief veterinarian, Dr James Scuddamore.

Mr Battle, his two daughters, Angela, 28, Joanne Richardson, 32, and his wife Barbara, have already won worldwide fame for their products.

Mr Battle said: "I read about the competition in Holland and was amused because 70 per cent of bacon sold in this country is Dutch and I thought it would be nice to beat them at their own game.

"And we did, we swept the board with that particular product after a blind tasting."

The request to help win-over the Cubans came out of the blue, Mr Battle added.

"I was proud that a small family business in Oakworth was asked to take part, by the Agri-Food specialists because we are regarded as leaders in this field," he said.

"The sausages and bacon were served at a special breakfast in Cuban capital Havana for 40 delegates, including Cuban government ministers."

Pauline Wade, Hull and Humber Chamber of Trade head of international trade, said: "The British Ambassador, Paul Hare, himself a Yorkshireman, beamed with pride as he presided over the breakfast.

"We were delighted to come away with a letter from Dr Carlos Delgado, the Cuban chief vet, addressed to the UK's chief veterinarian, Dr James Scuddamore, which means that discussions are now taking place regarding terms for lifting the embargo."

Im 1996 Jack Scaife's butchers in Mill Lane, Oakworth, was the first store of its kind in the country to set up a website. It now sells bacon worldwide in countries as far apart as the United States and Japan.