A BUTCHER is staying a cut above the rest - despite hundreds of nearby houses being for the chop.

David Woodruff's shop, in Middlesbrough's Parliament Road, has been given a new look while nearby businesses are going to be given upgrades, all thanks to a council grant covering 70 per cent of the work.

The facelifts are part of plans for the regeneration of the town centre area, which will see 38 terraced streets bulldozed.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "We want to protect and improve local businesses at a time we accept is of great change and opportunity.''

Mr Woodruff's business was the town's first to get a five-star rating for food hygiene.

"I was absolutely delighted with the rating and with the new look of the shop. It has maintained our traditional look, but really improved the appearance,'' said the butcher who is now serving third generation customers.

"I serve mothers and daughters and now their daughters,'' said the 61-year-old. "We hope the redevelopment of the houses will bring more people in.''

Nine other grants have been approved and work has started at Guido's hairdressers, in Princes Road, and Christina's Hair and Beauty, in Clifton Street.