A Bradford bakery will turn out a staggering 13 million mince pies this Christmas.

Tong-based Speedibake has taken on 38 staff to cope with the anticipated mince pie madness over the yuletide period.

The company, which also has bakeries in Wakefield and Northampton, plans to bake 13 million pies over the

festive season in Bradford alone.

Lorries will ferry the treats to supermarkets across the UK.

Production is already well underway at Speedibake's factory in the Cross Lane Industrial Estate, and the 38 new workers are busily brushing up on their pie-making skills. Tony Flinn, Speedibake operations manager, said: "The Bradford site is committed to making this a merry Christmas for everyone.

"We know there will be a great demand for our mince pies during the festive season and our extra 38 Christmas staff will help us to meet the UK's expectations and beyond."

In 1996 Speedibake was awarded the Queen's Award for Export Achievement, and it also supplies pies to caterers for their Christmas dinners.

And the bakers make sure everyone's taste is accounted for by baking pies, not only to the traditional recipe, but also with festive fillings like nuts, brandy and even exotic calvados.