BAKERS Greenhalgh's celebrated 50 years of family ownership by announcing plans to open its 50th store this year.

The firm, based in Lostock, is on a major expansion drive across the North-west, spreading further into Lancashire, making inroads into Cheshire and opening its first Merseyside store. Its 18-strong team of in-house engineers is about to begin fitting out its latest store, in Accrington, which is expected to take six weeks to complete.

Production director David Smart revealed the firm's plans after a gala dinner for customers, suppliers and employees at Bolton School.

"We intend to open our 50th outlet before our jubilee year has ended," he said.

The closure of the Market Hall outlet in Bolton left the firm with 44 stores in the region, mainly in its Bolton and Wigan heartland.

But Mr Smart said the firm would open new stores in Stockport, Maghull in Merseyside and Culcheth in Cheshire, as well as Accrington, within five months.

"That will leave two more to find before the end of December, which we will," he said.

The firm was set up before the Second World War by James Greenhalgh and was bought out in the 1940s by Bolton Palais to serve the dance hall.

Allan Smart was recruited as bakery manager in 1950 and bought the business in 1957 when - backed by wife Kathleen - he set about turning it into a profitable business.

Their son, David, is keen to build on their success.

"The future of the company is getting out there and beating the supermarkets at their own game," he said.

The key, Mr Smart said, is a continued focus on quality which helped the firm claim the Craft Bakery of the Year title at last year's Baking Industry Awards.

"The North-west is a wonderful location for business but we are not really involved in the Merseyside area and it's only 25 miles or so down the road."

A rebranding programme is currently being carried out by its in-house workmen.

Mr Smart said: "My father's philosophy was that if we want to do something, we do it ourselves because you can maintain quality."