GREGGS has opened its 2,000th shop just miles away from where its first shop opened in 1952.

The shop at the new South Shields Interchange, which has created 15 jobs, was opened on Friday by its new manager Joanne Wilson, who has worked for the company for 15 years and happened to celebrating her birthday.

Founder John Gregg started out 80 years ago with the goal of delivering fresh eggs and yeast to the families of Newcastle on his pushbike.

Greggs produces over 25 million products per week, making two million fresh sandwiches each day in its shops. It sells 1.5 million sausage rolls per week, and earlier this year launched its hugely popular Vegan Sausage Roll.

Chief executive Roger Whiteside said : “The North-East is where Greggs started its journey, so we’re delighted to be opening our 2000th shop in the region."