BETTER bites boss Paul Newton was so pleased The Argus stepped in to save his business, he named a special burger in our honour. Mr Newton was told he would have to give up his pitch where he’d served food for more than 20 years. Thanks to The Argus he’s been given a stay of execution. We sent our reporter Jack Arscott to check out his new tasty treat.

Better Bites’ Argus Burger has emphatically passed its first taste test.

I don’t say that lightly. As Paul Newton handed the piping hot Argus Burger over the counter, I was hungry as a horse. But being a burger fan, this would have to be good to satisfy me.

Beneath the seeded bap, a mountain of bacon made a bid for freedom. Glued in place by a potent stack of cheese and a slab of beef patty, still sizzling from the red hot grill, it sent a smoky waft right up my nostrils.

Still refusing to be taken in by appearances, I bit down on the shiney crust. Fried to tangy perfection, the onion cut through the meat. In the next mouthful, the saltiness of the bacon sent me to seventh heaven. I’m a salt fiend, so Paul had to be onto something special.

My defences were down. This was such a mouthwatering proposition that it was all I could do to restrain myself long enough for our photographer to take his pictures before I tucked in. The cheese was dripping off my fingers, but I no longer cared about my suit.

As the burger dwindled in size, I was actually struggling. This is an unusual experience for someone with my appetite - but then flavours this powerful don’t usually come in such awesome proportions. No mere cow could have made this; it had to be a mammoth.

I have eaten a few burgers in my time, from gourmet concoctions to football ground fodder. With its perfect blend of style and substance, the Argus Burger tops the lot.

It may not be elaborate, but who wants blue cheese in their burger anyway? Paul has been doing this for twenty two years, so he ought to know. As he told me, “my customers don’t want Costa. If you do good food, they come back.”

Count me in, Paul.