BUTCHERS in Burnley and Pendle had a rush on T-bone steaks and ribs of beef at the weekend as shoppers stocked up before Tuesday's ban came into force.

"Sales have more than doubled," said John Haffner, of Haffner's butchers, on Monday. "A lot of people are buying now for Christmas.

"I think there has been a backlash from the public against the government. Our customers have been very supportive.

"Two or three hundred people have signed our petition against the ban, and not one person refused to sign."

The government ban on beef on the bone comes at time when public confidence in British beef is returning after the mad-cow disease scare.

The National Federation of Meat Traders presented their petition, including the signatures gathered in Burnley, to the government on Monday.

"I believe that customers should have been given the choice, as they are with cigarettes," said Mr Haffner.

"All the customers I have spoken to agree that they should have the choice, and they are definitely reacting against the government."

He said the ban would not greatly affect his trade, as there were plenty of alternatives such as sirloin.

But he added: "I feel sorry for restaurants, because they do a lot of T-bones - but even they can offer alternatives."

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