CHRISTMAS has passed and tonight we will see in the New Year. But there has also been another day of celebration this week.

International Bacon Day was marked yesterday to celebrate the humble streaky or smoked rasher. Donald Baker, of Bakers Butchers in Witney was one of the county’s emporiums marking the event.

And he says that despite a recent warning from the World Health Organisation that processed meats, such as bacon, sausages and ham, could cause cancer, there seems to be no drop in business.

Mr Baker, 66, who operates his business from Market Square, said: “I really do think the public are so fed up with all this scaremongering. They do not take any notice of it. We haven’t noticed any falling of bacon trade at all.”