WORKERS at an East Lancashire bakery will be ready for a well-earned rest this Easter after sales of hot cross buns reached record levels.

More than 100,000 packs of the traditional Easter treat have rolled off the production line at Clayton Park Bakery – more than double last year’s bake.

Ovens at Clayton Park’s newly-opened second unit, in Huncoat, have been busy since January baking the spiced classic.

Managing director Barry Thomas said: “The demand for the traditional hot cross bun builds year on year. It’s almost at a point where we’re thinking about baking them all year round.

“In fact, they’re proving so popular we’re also thinking of expanding the range for next year, with a few twists on the traditional recipe.”

Each one of Clayton Park’s buns has its trademark ‘cross’ piped on by hand.

Mr Thomas added: “I think the new packaging has certainly helped to boost sales, and the fact we’ve now got a second bakery means we’ve got the capacity to cope with the extra demand.”

The majority of the hot cross buns will go to Spar stores across the north west.

The bakers also supplies a range of pies, cakes and savouries to football clubs, including Liverpool, Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Accrington Stanley, as well as supermarket Booths and hundreds of small shops.

Hot cross buns were traditionally only served at Easter, but slowly started to appear on shop shelves all year round, and are now a constant treat for fans.