A Sandbach butcher has hung up his apron and used his meat knife for the last time - after half a century in the trade.

Mick Hoole started life in the butchery world at the tender age of 14 as a Saturday boy in a well-known Birmingham butchers - the city where he hails from.

The massive football and music fan went to work at Walter Smith butchers while at school to help buy things he wanted like a new pair of football boots and he loved the industry so much, he remained in it all his life.

Mick has retired from the trade he's worked in for half a century. (Photo: Nub News)

Now after several years at Birds traditional butchers in High Street, the 65-year-old has decided to cut his final piece of meat and spend more time doing his beloved hobbies - music and football.

Mick, who lives in Ettiley Heath and is married with two children, is a massive Queen fan alongside a coach and steward at Sandbach United Football Club.

He said: "I Iove the butchery trade and have worked in it all my life. I started as a Saturday boy in Birmingham to earn money to buy a pair of football boots I wanted.

"I just got hooked and never left. By the age of 15 I could do some fairly technical cutting and started full-time in 1976. I just loved the customer interaction and everything else.

"I do all the cooking at home which is something I enjoy. You never say you know everything in the butchery trade as every day is a learning curve.

Mick now wants to spend time practicising his guitar playing skills. (Photo: Nub News)

"I've loved every minute of my working life and I will miss it." Mick's butchery career has included spells in wholesale butchery including Morrisons as well as a farmshop but his first love was always local butchery.

And his advice for customers buying meat. "Find a good butcher and build up a good relationship."

Mick, from Masefield Way, now plans to spend time brushing up on his guitar-playing skills.

A big Queen fan, as we revealed in this story here , even having an inclusion in the book "Lap of The Gods" about the band, Mick wants to be able play the guitar more proficiently, even the Sir Brian May guitar which sits in his collection.

Sandbach Nub News wishes Mick all the best in his retirement. Good luck!

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