PASTIES from Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe in Bolton's Churchgate - which has fans all over the country, the world, in fact - can trace its business history back to 1667 when it was a pork butcher's. But it is believed parts of the building could be 600 years old.

It became a pastie shop in 1898 and has remained one of the most popular takeaway lunchtime haunts of Bolton shoppers and workers ever since.

There is no secret ingredient to success, says owner Jack Walsh, it is simply that all the food served in the shop, including the bread, is home-made daily.

The pasties, normal size, mini, cheese or meat, are the shop's best-selling line and almost fly out of the door at lunchtimes. They can be bought fresh or frozen and are just as tasty warmed through at home.

Jack, aged 70, and 64-year-old Marie Walsh are the latest owners to continue the success of the little shop in Churchgate.

When I say little, I am merely describing the main shop area because the premises comprise living quarters and a bakery -- it really is very deceptive.

The shop has been in the family for many years. Jack's great aunt and uncle, Mary and Wright Rigg were the first and they sold everything from bread and cakes to tobacco and confectionery.

It has passed through the family since and is now run by Jack and Marie and their dedicated team of assistants, including their 32-year-old son Christopher, who works long hours in the kitchen.

The couple's daughter, 36-year-old Kay does not escape even though she now lives with her own family in America. When she returns to Bolton for holidays she is often roped in to lend a hand -- particularly at Christmas when the shop is very busy.

People come from far and wide to enjoy a "Pastie Shoppe pastie". Jack recalls the time a family from Yorkshire placed an order for "mother's" funeral buffet. She had moved across the Pennines after living in Bolton for many years and she had requested mini pasties and whist pies from the Pastie Shoppe to be served at her wake.

Jack says: "We gave them to the family as a gift. If they were prepared to come all that way for our food then they were loyal customers."

This article was taken from January's edition of the Bolton Evening News' produced magazine Limited Edition.

The monthly glossy publication, which covers Bolton and Bury, is delivered to certain circulation areas free of charge. It is also available free of charge from the Bolton Evening News' Churchgate offices, and from some supermarkets.