A popular and much-loved pasty shop is celebrating 125 years of being in business.

Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe, owned by Marie Walsh, shop opened on December 7, 1898, although the building itself has been around since 1667.

The shop was set up by the great uncle of Marie’s late husband, serving delicious baked goods and renowned pasties to customers.

It has even achieved international fame, with pasties being taken to locations such as Hong Kong and Africa and eaten by well known stars such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Kay.

The mayor, Cllr Mohammed Ayub, visited the shop on Thursday, December 7, to present Marie with a certificate celebrating the shop’s hard work and significance to the town.

Despite the gloomy day, the shop was thriving with people queuing up, and the bakers rushing around with trays of pasties.

The Bolton News: The mayor, Cllr Mohammed Ayub and Marie Walsh The mayor, Cllr Mohammed Ayub and Marie Walsh (Image: Bolton Council)

The mayor received a tour of the shop, and was given a personalised pasty at the end, with the word "mayor" handcrafted on it, a showcase of the culinary talent of the shop’s bakers.

Marie was pleased by the acknowledgement of the shop’s significance and said she would be hanging the certificate on the wall alongside their collection of celebrity and staff photos.

Highlighting the importance of the shop, Cllr Ayub said: “Ye Olde Pastie Shop is an essential part of the town of Bolton, and it’s been here throughout my entire lifetime.

“Marie and her workers give so much to the community, and it is a landmark for all of Bolton’s residents, and even for those from further afield.

“I hope that the shop continues long into the future as Bolton would not be the same without it.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.