A HOLLAND PARK butchers, founded in 1850, is celebrating after winning a top prize in an international meat competition.

Generations of the Lidgate family, of Holland Park Avenue, Kensington, have, yet again, proved their worth after a scooping a haul of trophies at a European meat contest.

They beat a record 700 entries to win the Meat and Fresh Expo 2009’s International Product of the Year, at a contest in Kortrijk, Belgium.

The winning dish was a rib-eye Berkshire Downs lamb fillet with Provençal marinade.

David Lidgate, 69, who recently worked with celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, said: “I am sure my great-grandfather, Alexander, and his son Charles, who founded our shop in 1850, would be very pleased with the progress of our business."

Mr Lidgate works with sons Danny and Ben, aged 28 and 30. The family also concocted six more award-winning dishes, including a Victorian bread-crumb sausage.

A red glass vase, presented to the family by BBC food critic Nigel Barden, was given to the father and sons in recognition of their achievement.