BAKER Bells of Lazonby says sales over the Christmas period “exceeded expectations”.

The family business, a pioneer in the special-diet market, made 1.7m gluten-free mince pies in its free-from bakery, and enjoyed great success with its We Love Cake brand selling into Iceland stores and Debenhams, Waitrose and Morrison’s cafes.

The main bakery made more than 2m mince pies for national coffee shops and supermarket Booths – were all Bells' mince pies laid out side by side, they would stretch from Lazonby to Newcastle and back.

Managing director Michael Bell said: “Continuous investment in our facilities, product development and our work force has laid the firm foundations for this outstanding performance.

"We have already committed to over £750, 000 investment for making 2017 even better."

He added: “ Our b akery and e ngineering a pprenticeship schemes are being further enhanced in partnership with Kendal College, with the addition of a management training programme to continue the development of our people.”

Bells marked its 70 th anniversary last year. It is set to expand its main and free-from bake ries in 2017 to accommodate increase d demand.

Sales to Booths were a particular strong point at Christmas , up 5.6 per cent on 2015.

Stollen bites and slices were the best - selling line there, with 1.6m pieces consumed, outselling even the mince pies.

Marketing executive Emily Sudell said: “Engaging with our customers at Booths ' Christmas tasting events has been key to our success.

“ Booths customers want to know the story behind the products and, at Bells, with our rich history and strong family values, we certainly deliver on that.”

Like Bells, Booths reported strong Christmas figures with sales in the week before topping £10m.

Trading over the festive period was up 1.8 per cent on 2015 while like-for-likes sales grew by 2.6 per cent.

Chief executive Chris Dee said, “Booths’ reputation for finding specialist products made by local and artisan suppliers means we come into our own in the festive period.”

Preston-based Booths has seven stores in Cumbria at Penrith, Keswick, Ulverston, Kendal, Windermere, Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale.