A bacon sandwich-loving cyclist from Shropshire who posts reviews of his mid-ride snacks to Facebook has been recognised by a trade body for his Outstanding Services to Bacon.

Steve Grice of the Newport Shropshire Cycling Club has posted dozens of reviews of bacon sandwiches from establishments around the Midlands on the social network.

At the club’s annual dinner last Saturday, he was presented with a letter in recognition of his efforts from Love Pork, which also gave him a pair of limited edition sausage boxer shorts and a squeezy pig.

The letter, from the British Pork Industry’s head of marketing – and fellow Shropshire resident – Kirsty Walker, who wrote: “It has been brought to our attention that you regularly go to great lengths to find the perfect bacon sandwich, and to point out deficiencies, so that establishments who fall short of perfection know the error of their ways!”

Thanking him for helping “put Shropshire on the map when it comes to bacon,” she added, “would you like to extend your judging to sausages?”

The club’s chairman Nick Jeggo, quoted on pigworld.co.uk, said:“Over the past two years Steve Grice has built up a network of faithful followers who pedal to test his top-rated bacon sandwiches at cafes across Shropshire and the West Midlands area.

“Now I know that most people love bacon and cyclists are some of its biggest advocates, but Steve really has gone above and beyond. His attention to detail is spot on, sandwiches can be marked down for not being crispy enough, adding butter without asking first, sauce being added first and any form of greenery on the plate earns a whole two point deduction.

“We were delighted to present him with the award from Love Pork, which is both in good humour and even better in taste.”