FOR most lovers, a bunch of flowers, a box of chocolates or a bottle of bubbly are the first gifts that spring to mind on Valentine’s Day.

But one shop in Bolton is offering suitors an alternative to the usual February 14 fare.

One can only imagine how a lover would react when presented with a special extra-large Valentine’s Day pastie.

Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe, in Churchgate, is offering just that.

Their limited edition Valentine’s pastie will be double the size of a standard pastie, and with an “I heart you” message spelled out in pastry on the top.

It will also be decorated with a red love heart, and will cost £3.

The idea comes from shop owner Marie Walsh, aged 74, who said she wanted to come up with something different to the typical flowers and chocolates.

She said: “This is the first year we are doing it. Last year we made cupcakes with the love heart sweets, which went down well, but this year we wanted to bring more customers in.”

Mrs Walsh said it would not be possible to create a pastie in the shape of a heart because it would change shape during the baking process.

The shop is also giving people the chance to deliver the pasties to their lovers at work. Mrs Walsh said: “We thought it would make a nice gesture if customers got the pastie delivered, because some people, especially men, can be very last minute with their gifts.”

The shop has previously made customised pasties for special occasions, including one for Bolton’s Olympic cycling hero, Jason Kenny, who was given a pastie with the message “Jason gets gold” on it after his success at London 2012