A PRODUCE supervisor at the Morrisons store in Kennedy Way, Tiverton, has been named as a finalist in the supermarket’s national Mastercraft competition.

Tim Nichols, who has been a produce supervisor for eight years, will face tough competition from five other finalists competing in his category, selected from across Morrisons’ 510 stores.

The annual in-house competition recognises and rewards Morrisons store staff who are experts in eight specialist trades: butchers, bakers, fishmongers, cheesemongers, wine advisers, florists, cake shop and produce specialists.

The final, at Morrisons’ headquarters in Yorkshire on Thursday, will see Tim tested on product identification, specification and presentation, and creativity and ingenuity.

He said: “I’m so proud to have been shortlisted. Not many people realise that the produce is prepared by myself and the team, and that we are fully qualified produce specialists, so it’s great to achieve some recognition for this.”

Mickey Greenhalgh, Morrisons’ head of craft skills, said: “We’re proud of the traditional skills on show in our stores and we like to reward those specialists that really stand out.

“We have more skilled craftsmen and women on our counters than any other supermarket and Tim is a credit to his trade – we wish him the best of luck for the final.”