A TOWN centre bakery that was damaged in a blaze in the summer has re-opened to the public.

An electrical fault caused a fire to break out in the Poundbakery in Market Street on August 7, which caused serious damage to the building and forced it to close for four months.

The blaze, which reached the ceiling of the building, caused the front windows of the store to smash.

Firefighters tackling the fire at the time found a small trace of asbestos in the upstairs area of the building, but this has now been removed with the help of a professional firm and a full refurbishment of the premises has taken place.

The shop originally opened in Market Street in 2010 and following the four month closure has now opened again in time to launch a new Christmas menu.

The re-launch of the bakery included an appearance from life-size festive Christmas trees which were on hand to welcome customers back in to the store in seasonal style.

The celebrations are set to continue in the run-up to Christmas when a singing Santa and his chief elf take a quick break from their Christmas duties to serenade customers on Friday.

Shop manager Judith Fletcher said: “The Poundbakery has never looked better and it was great to welcome back our colleagues and loyal customers.

“Customers will enjoy the same great quality products that they have come to expect from Poundbakery and we are looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and introducing them to our exciting new menus — all for just a pound of course.”

The Poundbakery firm originated in Bolton and was born out of the Sayers Bakery Group, it has stores across the North West including two in Bolton Town Centre, with the second premises based in Newport Street.