A COUPLE who complained about a bar of Dairy Milk in the late 1950s yesterday took up the offer a guided tour of the Cadbury's factory - 44 years after they were first offered it.

Arthur and Sheila Carr, from Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, were sent a replacement bar in 1959 along with an invitation to visit the Cadbury's site in Bournville, Birmingham.

After more than 40 years, the Carrs decided to contact the company and ask if they could take up the long-standing offer while visiting Clent, Worcestershire, on a camping holiday.

Yesterday, when asked why it had taken them so long to decide to make the trip, Mrs Carr said: "It doesn't seem like 44 years. Time just flies.

"Our daughter was only two at the time and we've just been really busy.

"It was only this summer, when we realised we could holiday in the area, that we thought it would be a nice idea to see if we could come along."

A Cadbury spokesman confirmed the company had issued the invitation on July 21, 1959, along with a replacement product.

He said: "Most people tend to visit straight away if they are offered a tour of a chocolate factory, so a 44-year wait is unusual."