A CARLISLE fishmonger received one of the highest levels of certification in the industry last week.

Hayden Cutting, from Raffles, travelled to the Fishmongers' Hall at London Bridge to receive his advanced tier master fishmonger standard certification on Monday, October 25.

The certification is the second highest category which a fishmonger can have.

Those who want it have to apply and complete various assessments and coursework.

Mr Cutting, 29, works for Bells Fishmongers at their stall in the Pioneer Rosehill foodstore.

He has been a fishmonger for nine years, having started out at Sainsbury's in Carlisle.

But his dream was not initially to be working with fish.

Mr Cutting said: "Originally I was into the butchery but they send you away on course to do all your different training.

"It was on one of these courses that I met a fishmonger, Richard Lucas.

"Watching him, I thought ‘wow, I want to be like him’. He was an inspiration."

He hasn't looked back since.

"I just absolutely love it. The displays, talking to the customers, the cutting it up. It’s difficult to explain.

"You find your calling in life and this is mine.

"I always joke to customers that I won’t retire, they’ll be prying my cold dead hands off the fish counter when I’m 89-years-old."

The presentation at Fishmongers' Hall included a tour of the building, an awards ceremony, a performance from a comedian and a sit down meal.

Afterwards Mr Cutting drove eight hours home, as he had work the next day.

It had been a long time coming, as he had won a competition to fund his assessments in 2019.

The assessment also changed, as examiners were unable to watch Mr Cutting do his work in-person.

Videos had to be sent via Youtube instead.

Mr Cutting said that he was happy with his achievement.

He said: "I was so proud. Chuffed to bits.

"It’s what I’ve been working towards for a long time. It was a good day.

"Fingers crossed that next year, once I’ve been doing it for 10 years, I can apply for the highest category, the master."