RHM division Manor Bake-ries said “Christmas has come early” for its troubled Mr Kipling brand this year, with record sales of Mr Kipling mince pies.

To date, sales have grown 9% on the previous year and it is anticipated that over 50 million Mr Kipling mince pies will be sold by Christmas Eve.

Head of marketing for Manor Bakeries Matthew Day commented: “We are delighted by the sales growth, which shows the British public placing Mr Kipling products at the heart of their Christmas celebrations.”

The Manor Bakeries mince pie range includes Mr Kipling Original Mince Pies and Mr Kipling Luxury Mince Pies and remains the UK’s number one branded mince pie range, Manor Bakeries claimed. That reign is set to continue, the company added.