Grice recently was rewarded for his work during the cycling club’s award dinner held this month where he received the “Services to Bacon” award from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s Love Pork industry campaign.

“We’d like to share our heartfelt thanks to Steve who really is putting pork on the map in Shropshire and the wider West Midlands area,” said Kirsty Walker, head of pork marketing at Love Pork. “His outstanding standards and discerning taste buds have inspired many of his fellow cyclists to fuel their trips with a tasty meal, to give them energy for the rest of their journey.

“We’ve heard that Steve is even planning to position his squeezy little pig on the front of his handlebars, to lead the way to the next bacon butty or perhaps even a sausage bap. Thanks for your support Steve and the Newport Shropshire Cycling Club.”

Along with the industry accolade, Grice received a pair of limited-edition sausage boxers and a “squeezy pig.”

Nick Jeggo, chairman of the Newport Shropshire Cycling Club, said, “Now I know that most people love bacon and cyclists are some of its biggest advocates, but Steve really has gone above and beyond. His attention to detail is spot on, sandwiches can be marked down for not being crispy enough, adding butter without asking first, sauce being added first and any form of greenery on the plate earns a whole two-point deduction.

“We were delighted to present him with the award from Love Pork, which is both in good humor and even better in taste.”