PORK and apple buffet Melton pies and two new varieties of sausage roll are on their way to the supermarket shelves thanks to a report from the British Pig Executive (BPEX.

The brand new product ideas came about following research for BPEX carried out by the Meat and Livestock Commission which resulted in a report entitled "Pork Pies and Sausage Rolls - A Category Report".

The report sparked a collaboration between a major retail group and two of its suppliers which resulted in the new pork pie, a deep filled sausage roll and a deep-filled Toulouse sausage roll.

Richard Lowe, Consumer Affairs Director, said: "It is extremely encouraging that suppliers and retailers are finding the BPEX category reports so useful for new product development.

"The report, which is one of a series of five, highlighted a gap in the market and this retailer and the suppliers have seized upon the opportunity to fill it - actually, you might even say deep-fill it!"