BAKER Dave Carine understands better than most how one of Devizes' biggest employers has gone from being a family run business to supplying huge companies such as Waitrose and M&S.

On Monday Mr Carine, 61, from Rowde, who is Haydens Bakery longest serving employee was given the honour of declaring open one of the final pieces in an investment programme of more than £10 million that will help the firm operate at the cutting edge of the industry.

Mr Carine took Norman Tebbitt's advice back in the 1980s and got on his bike to find work when employment dried up in his native Liverpool 31 years ago.

He said: "I went to work in Marlborough for Haydens when it was just a small family run company. I then moved across to Devizes when the new factory was built. This latest investment is wonderful."

Today Mr Carine is in charge of all the giant ovens that bake the vast range of cakes, buns and tarts and has written operating manuals that make sure everything is baked to perfection.

When away from his six ovens he has always liked to have exactly the same seat in the canteen everyday so on Monday when the new look canteen was unveiled he was presented with a plaque by managing director John Larsen that will be fitted the chair of his choice so the tradition can continue.

Mr Larsen said: "We’re marking this major milestone in our history by having a grand re-opening of the newly refurbished employee break facilities. This is a central hub for our employees and we want to celebrate our progress and the journey we’re embarking on. So it seemed only fitting to officially open the canteen with our longest standing employee since 1986, Dave Carine.”

The firm's development and expansion which also includes a new warehouse, factory line for yum yums, development rooms and a general revamp is due finish early in the New Year.

Mr Larsen said the market for sweet bakery and dessert products remained challenging but the investment meant that Haydens, who employ 550 people, was in a good position to compete.

It produces around 70 different products which are supplied to companies such as Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Costa Coffee, Caffe Nero, Aldi, Sainsburys, and Morrisons.

In November, 2015, the firm which then employed 470 people, underwent a major rebranding exercise to capture the flavour of the indulgent treats made in the Devizes factory using the tag line delivering naughtiness.

Mr Larsen said “We warmly welcomed the New World of Haydens in late 2015. It was much more than a new set of clothes, we fired up the ovens to think differently about our business, with more confidence, optimism and energy. This aligned strategy and refocus kicked started our new Haydens journey.

"We rise to the challenge of achieving our ambitious growth plans and this redevelopment is one of the many slices of the pie to get us there."

Haydens produce enough cakes each week to cover the length of 165 marathons.