A TAUNTON-based dessert company has been sold to a French manufacturer.

French manufacturer Mademoiselle Desserts has bought Ministry of Cake, which is based in Frobisher Way, for an undiscolsed sum.

The company also has a factory in Torquay and employs more than 400 people.

It is not yet known if the buy will create more jobs, however managing director of Ministry of Cake, Chris Ormrod said the deal would secure those currently working for the firm. 

Ministry of Cake currently has a turnover of £30m annually and supplies to major pub and restaurant chains such as JD Wetherspoon, TGI Friday and Whitbread.

Mademoiselle Desserts employs more than 1,400 in eight production sites in France, the UK and the Netherlands.

Ministry’s managing director Chris Ormrod said: "This deal secures jobs and investment in a company which is firmly rooted in the west country.

"It can only enhance our place in the European market, especially with the uncertainties created by Brexit in the future.

"It opens up new markets to us and offers us the security of being part of a larger company.

"Our employees also now have an exciting career path, as they will have options to work elsewhere in the European business.’’

Didier Boudy, CEO of Mademoiselle Desserts, said: "Ministry of Cake is a perfect addition to our group.

"Combined with our two sites in the UK - The Handmade Cake Company in Maidenhead and Mademoiselle Desserts Corby - we have now an unrivalled state-of-the-art production capability dedicated to our foodservice customers.’’