A bakery set up in a converted potato shed by an enterprising farmers' wife has proved a success with Cheshire residents. The conversion was assisted by a grant of around £14,000 from Defra's Rural Enterprise Scheme (RES), delivered by the Rural Development Service.

The Holmes Chapel based venture started last year when Lisa Hocknell began baking flapjacks in her own kitchen to supplement the income from the family dairy farm. Lisa researched the market and discovered that few producers were making sweet treats with no additives, and a business idea - the Speckled Hen bakery - was born.

Demand for the products grew, with local outlets such as farm shops, garden centres, delicatessens and coffee shops selling the range. The increased demand led to a need to expand, which is where the RES grant helped the Hocknells out, funding nearly half of the costs of the conversion. The extra space and cooking capacity have enabled Lisa to employ five local people part time, as well as drafting in voluntary help from family on occasions.

The product range includes fudge, biscuits, flapjacks and tray bakes and uses high quality ingredients which have undergone minimal processing - unrefined sugars, untreated flour and free range eggs. Speckled Hen products are also free from artificial additives, preservatives, flavouring and colourings. Even the Irish Cream fudge is full of real whisky.

New products are rigorously taste-tested by a willing team of volunteers made up of friends, relatives and local villagers, and recently Lisa has expanded into entertaining, organising 'Little Chicks' baking parties where up to 12 children at a time can decorate an apron, hat and food box, and have a go at baking and icing some delicious goodies to take home, before tucking in to a top quality party tea.

Lisa said:

"We are delighted at how well the bakery is doing. People seem to love the products and they are just selling themselves thanks to word of mouth recommendation. Sometimes we have worked 14-hour days just to keep up with demand.

"We are really grateful for the RES grant as it was becoming impossible to run the business from home as demand grew. It helped us with conversion costs and equipment for the new premises, which then meant we could employ staff.

"Next we would like to expand our product range even more. I'm currently working on developing low-fat and low-sugar flapjacks and more seasonal specialities, and if business continues I will be looking to take on more staff soon."

Rachael Lomas an adviser with the Rural Development Service in the North West said:

"The Speckled Hen Country Bakery is proving to be a great success. They are providing a high quality product and enabling people to buy locally produced goods, and they are also enhancing the rural economy by employing local people and encouraging flexible working hours for people with families.

"They have done remarkably well since moving into the new premises in January, and we wish them all the best and hope that the Speckled Hen Country Bakery goes from strength to strength."

Specked Hen Country Bakery products are also available by mail order via their website: http://speckled-hen.co.uk/index.php