A BOLTON bakery will star on ITV tonight in a programme which recognises the powerhouse of food manufacturers.

Hunters the Bakers on Church Road will feature on Inside Britain's Food Factories series at 8.30pm.

And one of the focuses of filming was the million-plus Eccles cakes which make their way onto the nation’s shelves from the 49-year-old enterprise.

Nigel Hunter, 45, who owns the business and has been making Eccles cakes since he was 12 years old gives his secret to the perfect Eccles cake as part of one of the episodes.

His day at the town centre bakery usually begins at 2.30am, when he sets out to fulfill orders for the cakes and the range of artisan breads which come out of Hunters daily.

He said: “I love my job, it is a craft that was passed through the family and we are a dying breed.

“People love Eccles cakes because they are nostalgic and remind us of days gone by and are a bit of a luxury treat.”

The family-run firm prides itself on using the best local ingredients and suppliers, while using traditional methods to brings it products to fruition, serving both the public and wholesale customers.

Actress Siobhan Finneran narrates the six-part series, which also tells the story of the success of Bombay Sapphire gin and the famous Wilkin & Sons jam from Tiptree in Essex.