THE Bolton News certainly knows a winner when it sees one.

Twenty five years ago the then Bolton Evening News was co-sponsor of a “Birth of a Business” competition — to back a budding local entrepreneur with a bright idea and make the dream of setting up on their own a reality.

Angela Howarth was the winner on a glittering awards night at Bolton Town Hall and now Occasion Cakes, the business she opened in May 1985 after beating 63 other entrants, is celebrating 25 years of making delicious creations for the people of Bolton and beyond.

Angela set up as a sole trader in a rented shop in Bridge Street in Bolton with the help of the cash prize and business support from the newspaper and the other award backers, Girobank and Bolton Council.

Since then, the business has grown into an enterprise which has 14 full and part-time employees and shops in Chorley Old Road, Bolton, and Wigan’s town centre Royal Arcade, selling about 200 cakes each week.

As the name suggests, Occasion Cakes make cakes for any occasion, from dozens of different wedding cake designs to novelty birthday creations and christening cakes.

Customers include Premiership footballers, pop stars and a number of large corporate clients such as Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Council.

The company also now supplies cakes to customers across the country.

Angela, who lives in nearby Chorley New Road, said: “I would like to thank my staff and our customers for their support in helping reach this tremendous milestone.

“It has taken a lot of hard work and determination over the years to get where we are now and I am delighted to be celebrating 25 years.

“I think the key to that success is that we produce an excellent product — which is shown by the fact our customers come back again and again.

“It brings it home to me how long we have been in business when we have couples coming into the shop for golden wedding cakes — and they bring in pictures of the cake we made for their silver wedding anniversary!”