BAKER Greggs has revealed increased sales as changes to products continue to lure customers into its shops.

The Newcastle-based pie and pasty maker said own shop like-for-like-sales were 5.2 per cent higher for the 24 weeks to December 13.

Own shop like-for-like sales for the year to date stood 4.2 per cent higher, with total sales growth of 3.6 per cent.

Roger Whiteside, chief executive, said it was benefiting from its decision to switch to the lucrative food-on-the-go convenience market, with its range of healthier sandwiches and coffee selling well.

He added: “Our strong performance has continued.

“Trading conditions have remained helpful but there is no doubt that customers are also responding to improvements in our product and service offer and to the investment we are making in the shop environment.

“While there is still much to play for over the final few weeks of the year we anticipate full-year profits will be ahead of analysts’ expectations.”

Mr Whiteside added the company will deliver another trading update early next year.