A EURO-MP for Bolton has welcomed the ruling that Spain and Italy's efforts to restrict the sale of British-made chocolate were illegal.

Gary Titley said he was delighted that both countries were found guilty of breaching EU laws by insisting that imports from this country should be labelled as "chocolate substitute".

The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg said British chocolate, containing up to five per cent vegetable fat instead of pure cocoa butter, was entitled to free access to all EU markets. Ever since 1973, Spain and Italy have said anything less than 100 per cent cocoa butter can not be called chocolate.