Pie maker celebrates festive boost

The company has also achieved a 30 per cent increase in sales for the first trading weeks of 2010. The new, handcrafted Christmas pie range, which was launched in recyclable boxes for the first time in Booths stores, proved popular with shoppers. The company also supplies Asda.

Lynda Povey, general manager at The Topping Pie Company, which has 50 staff, said: "We are extremely pleased with sales over the festive period and are confident that we will continue to see a huge demand for our traditionally handmade pies.

"The sales uplift is testament to the quality of our pies and the hard work of our staff, who worked around the clock to make and deliver product to customers."

Services firm Mears Group said it had extended the deadline for shareholder acceptance for its takeover of Supporta to January 26 after receiving backing from investors holding 57.9 per cent of shares. Gloucester-based Mears hopes to take over Supporta to extend its care business.