A BUTCHER from Worcester has become a YouTube star with his videos of old school butchery techniques.

Scott Rea, aged 43, from St John's has notched more than 7m views on the video-sharing website.

Dad-of-three Scott, who studied at Christopher Whitehead Language College, uploaded his first video three years ago.

He offers up demonstrations of how to butcher animals and cook traditional fare.

After the views started to mount up, Scott realised he was onto a winner and the Scott Rea Project has gone from strength to strength.

In the past year, he has had a purpose-built shed constructed where he now films the productions for his online channel.

Scott, who has been a butcher for 28 years, said: "Out of the blue I just thought of doing an introduction to butchering on YouTube and did a pig for a bit of fun.

"I put that up and got a few hits but didn't think too much of it.

"As it grew and grew I thought 'maybe I'm onto something here and there's something in this'.

"I got more serious and more professional and no-one else was doing something like it – or if they were it wasn't as in-depth as I was.

"I wanted people to be able to use the videos as a tool to learn the trade, and be able to simplify cooking and butchery.

"But I had no idea how far it would grow and it's brilliant."

Off the back of a growing number of subscriptions, Scott decided to move out of the family home and into his shed.

This meant he avoided run-ins with family members and no longer had to monopolise his kitchen when filming.

Scott, who currently works part-time in the meat trade in the city, said a lot of his subscribers are in the USA, "where butchery has had a bit of a resurgence".

But he wants to inspire like-minded followers in the UK too.

Celebrity chefs including Nigel Slater, Phil Vickery and Aldo Zilli have praised his work.

"[Butchery] is a hard and noble trade but we're losing it here and I wanted to get people in England on board and behind me," Scott said.

"I want people to watch this stuff, appreciate it and learn things."

A 20-minute video can take up to 12 hours to film and edit, and Scott admitted he spent eight days on one video.

He described being able to highlight his traditional butchery skills using 21st Century means as an "amazing" feat, and has plenty of interaction with his supporters.

Passing on his knowledge to the next generation is also one of his aims.

Scott said: "I'm really happy when people have a go themselves, take pictures and email me asking questions.

"But I've had to tell myself not to always respond, as I can wake up at 4.30am and there will be people on the phone or emailing.

"My skills are traditional but I'm bringing them into the digital age and social media, which is amazing.

"I've seen a number of old butchers take their skills to the grave and they never pass them on.

"Then all those skills and knowledge are gone – that's why I'm trying to pass mine on."

To view some of Scott's videos follow the Scott Rea Project on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.