Rebel butcher Dave Stephens is determined to hang on to his pounds and ounces - even if it means breaking the law.

The Leigh butcher says he will continue to serve customers at Mandy's Chop Shop at Leigh Broadway in imperial measurements.

As from January 1, it has become law in Britain for every shop to mark their goods in metric measurements.

Mr Stephens' defiant anti-European stance has brought him national attention and has also roused support for his position against the changes in weights and measures.

Mr Stephens said: "This is our first day of opening and we are sticking to imperial measurements, pounds and ounces. We are not adopting the European measurements of kilos and grammes and I have got the support of 3,000 signatures from the people of Leigh.

"I am appealing to the small shopkeepers throughout the country to say no to Europe. I am starting a referendum up to take Leigh out of Europe and being an Englishman I am prepared to stand my ground."

Mr Stephens appeared on GMTV to publicise his cause which has gained backing from the UK Independence Party. He said: "We are going to put the lion back into Great Britain."

Colin Gabell, head of Southend Trading Standards, said that Mr Stephens could face a fine if he continued to refuse to use metric measurements.

He said: "The law is the law and we have a duty to enforce the law. If somebody is trading in unlawful units, then from our point of view, we need to follow that up."

Picture, top: Euro rebel - Butcher Dave Stevens putting on the imperial weights on meat .

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