A LLANGYNOG farmer will soon be travelling across continental Europe after winning a prestigious scholarship.

Aled John, who studies at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, received the Gary Baker award at a recent Worshipful Company of Butchers court lunch in March from Master of the Butchers’ Company, Mark Adams.

Aled, who graduated from the BSc (Hons) agri-business course with a first class degree last September, is now employed by Anglo Beef Processors as a graduate trainee and is taking the PgC meat business management course at the university.

He intends to visit meat plants in Germany, Austria and Poland thanks to the prize, examining carcass dressing processes and offal utilisation.

The 24-year-old said: “I’m really pleased to have been presented with the award from such a lovely family.

“I’m looking forward to travelling and the experience I will gain as a result of the funding.”

Head of food science and agri-food supply chain management at Harper Adams, Ralph Early, said: “Aled was a hardworking and dedicated undergraduate student who is now applying his skills and making his mark in a very important sector of the UK food industry.

“We congratulate him on his achievements and wish him well for his travels across Europe.”

The Gary Baker Scholarship is a travel award for students pursuing a career in the red meat industry, made by the Worshipful Company of Butchers in memory of the late Gary Baker.