A CHORLEY firm has buttered its last bap just weeks after being nominated for an award.

Astley Training Bakery, on Park Road, was nominated in the baker/sandwich maker of the year category in the British sandwich association 1999 awards.

But the firm, which specialises in teaching adults with learning difficulties how to bake, lost out on its order to Chorley and South Ribble district general hospital, the only place they make sandwiches for.

Manager David Kelly said: "We were looking forward to the awards and went in to deliver our order to the hospital as normal last Friday.

"We were told we would no longer be making the sandwiches for them any more as of this week and the WRVS would be.

"It's a great disappointment because we have held that order for seven or eight years and it would have been nice to have been recognised. I suppose it is nice to be nominated, but it seems pointless us competing if from this week we will no longer be making sandwiches."

David said the firm, a registered charity which has been on the site for 14 years, will concentrate on its thriving cake business.

He said: "We're still in business and make a enough to break even out of selling cakes on our various market stalls. So the future isn't that bleak."

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