Quiche manufacturer Thomas Food Group is launching a major investment programme to take a bigger slice of the premium quiche market.

The company is building a 2,500sq ft extension at its factory in Sheffield and putting in new production lines and machinery at its Meadowbrook Bakery in Milton Keynes.

The £1.5m development programme will boost production capacity for pastry products, which it provides almost exculsively under own label to supermarkets such as Morrisons and Asda.

A spokesman said: “The company already makes a number of premium quiches but believes there is big potential in expanding this sector. It will also introduce new recipes.”

Entrepreneur and chairman Bill Hazeldean bought the business through Food Investment Group last year.