A COMPANY that rescued a famous brand of toffee has continued its success by adding a traditional food hall to its growing portfolio.

Since rescuing Farrah's Original Harrogate Toffee from a sticky end seven years ago, the father and son partnership of Gary and Peter Marston have re-established the sweet and have bulging order books.

In addition, the rescued toffee has helped business to boom at their chocolate shop in Montpellier Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, which was renamed Farrah's. They have also opened shops in Knaresborough, Masham and Grassington

The food hall, only two doors away from the original Farrah's shop, has been created in a former antique shop.

The Marstons were inspired to open their latest venture by a resurgence of interest in traditional food, which they attribute to television programmes such as Rick Stein's Food Heroes and Henrietta Green's book Food Lovers' Guide to Britain.

The company employs 42 staff and has moved from a backstreet factory off King's Road, Harrogate, to a purpose built factory at nearby Starbeck.

Original Harrogate Toffee is still made in open copper pans and sold in blue and silver embossed tins.

When it was feared that the toffee would disappear, fans queued to buy what they believed would be the last supplies of toffee and tins.

Seeing the huge interest in the toffee, the Marstons stepped in to rescue the product. The acquisition received the royal seal of approval when the Queen later visited the factory.