RARE pig breed farmer Robert Buttle shared his love of the species with the Prince of Wales when he received an award marking his work to save the pigs at the Prince's home, Highgrove House.

Mr Buttle, 52, of Buttle Farm, Compton Basset, who has been promoting high welfare farming with his wife Sara for seven years, met Prince Charles at the Ark of Taste conference hosted by Dan Saladino of Radio 4's Food programme.

Slow Food's international project was created to save foods at risk of extinction and to safeguard the world's agro-biodiversity using the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's initiatives, by monitoring rare and native breeds and promoting their breeding and registration.

Mr Buttle said: "It was a privilege to be part of the event celebrating traditional and rare breed produce and to meet with many other like-minded people.

"It is a tough but rewarding job, knowing that we are not only caring well for our animals and creating fabulous produce but also helping to preserve these breeds for the future.”

The British Saddleback, one of the six rare breeds on Buttle Farm, has become the 100th UK Ark of Taste product and certificates were presented to Mr Buttle and Caron Kennedy Stewart, who also farms the breed in Scotland, to mark the occasion.

Some of Buttle Farm's charcuterie, including their simple air-dried ham that has been hanging for two-three years, was sampled by the guests.

Shane Holland, executive chairman of Slow Food in the UK, said: “We really appreciate the work of farmers like Robert and Caron throughout the country who work so hard to support and promote the importance of the British Saddleback and all the other products in the Ark of Taste.

"Without their efforts, these wonderful ingredients will be lost and our world will be the poorer for it."