A Bolton bakery famous for creating employment for ex-convicts is set to leave the area for a bigger base in Oldham.

HM Pasties is set to move backed by a £300,000 loan from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The Bolton bakery, which is based on Norris Street, was made by Lee Wakeham because he missed the pasties he ate when he grew up in Cornwall.

It is famous for creating employment for ex-convicts, of which the owner is an example, in an attempt to help the ex-convicts to turn their lives around.

On Friday, at a meeting of the GMCA, Oldham Council leader Arooj Shah responded to its arrival while Bolton Council leader Nick Peel responded to its loss.

They and the leaders of the other authorities as well as metro mayor Andy Burnham approved the £300,000 loan from the Greater Manchester Investment Fund.

The Bolton News:

Cllr Shah said: "I am really, really pleased they are coming to Oldham at some point. I think those who have criminal records find it is difficult to be a part of society so any opportunity to offer rehabilitation only strengthens society.

"I cannot wait for them to come to Oldham and I will be getting a pasty once they do."

Cllr Peel said: "It is a really, really innovative way to highlight such an important issue.

"As Bolton waves goodbye to HM Pasties and wishes them well and all the best for the future I hope our pasty and pie trade is not damaged too much."

Previously HM Pasties received recognition in The British Pie Awards and, in last year's Great Taste Awards, it received one star for its Jerk Chicken pie – an accolade achieved by around a quarter of the entries to the awards.

It supplies a number of pubs and restaurants as well as venues like the Etihad Stadium.

At the time Mr Wakeham said: "I was someone who loved pasties and I couldn't get a good pasty up here. Well, in my opinion, I couldn't get a good pasty up here compared to the ones I grew up eating in Cornwall. 

"I started making my own and here I am with a multi-award-winning business. 

"We are making around 6000 pasties and pies per week which is insane, really. 

"It wasn't part of the plan."

The Bolton News asked HMPasties for a comment.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.