A VILLAGE butcher has hit out at Norfolk County Council saying six weeks of roadworks has left him �10,000 out of pocket.

Andrew Edmonds, 49, who recently spent �180,000 on the expansion of his Bradwell Butchery, in Crab Lane, said that during four weeks Crab Lane was closed at its Beccles Road junction for pavement repairs he lost �2,000 a week, more than 20pc of his turnover.

The last two weeks of the work, he was still �1,000 a week down even after the road had re-opened.

Mr Edmonds, who had battled to prevent the road closure with the support of the parish council and the owner of the neighbouring Mini Mart, said: “I have consulted solicitors about claiming compensation but they say there is no precedent for that in this kind of case.”

He said he had been told it would be impossible to use traffic lights to keep the road open during the work because they would be too close to the Beccles Road junction – but once the road was re-opened, traffic lights were used 50m from the junction while pavement opposite his shop was repaired.

He said: “This kind of thing must be going on all over the county. I am annoyed that not enough consideration is given to the impact on small businesses.”

A council spokesman said they were sorry to hear about the effect on Mr Edmonds’ business, but they had to work within rules designed to protect workmen and the travelling public.

“We always do what we can to avoid road closures,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Edmonds and his daughter Megan are celebrating after winning a haul of regional awards.

They won five of the 12 category champion awards at a regional industry roadshow last week, with 18-year-old Megan winning the Young Sausage Maker Champion title with her pork with sage and apple sausages.

Mr Edmonds, who was crowned Overall Champion for East Anglia with his hand-raised pork pie, said: “I’m absolutely delighted, particularly as we’ve been out of the competition circuit for a year while we expanded the business. I love taking part in these events as it’s a real incentive to trial new ideas and get recognition for all our hard work.”

The pair are hoping to continue their success from the BPEX regional roadshow when they attend the final of the Butchers Shop Of The Year Awards, which are held in London in November.