A former sausage shop in Croydon has been given a Grade II listed status.

The art-deco building which used to be Kennedy's local butchers - which was famed for its sausages - has been preserved for prosperity and awarded the status along with another chain in Camberwell.

The shop, in High Street, South Norwood, served customers for more than 80 years until it closed on December 22 last year, when the chain went out of business.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge said: "It's fantastic to be able to preserve a little bit of that history - and brilliant to find shops dating from the Victorian era or early 20th century which have not been changed beyond recognition by refurbishment."

"It is right that these wonderfully preserved sausage shops should get the additional protection - an extra skin, if you like - that listing provides."

The listed building in South Norwood boasts original features such as polished glass signs, granite stallrisers, art-deco sunburst transom lights, green and yellow tiled walls, marble-topped counters, wooden cabinets and mirrored panels.

Kennedy's was founded in Peckham 130 years ago and expanded to nine shops all over south London before the business ended.