Chocolate lovers are in for a treat as South Wales chocolatier, Castle Chocolates become available in Tesco stores.

It is the first time Castle Chocolates have supplied a supermarket, and will be making around 12,000 bars a week specifically for Tesco.

The deal sees Castle Chocolates supply all 43 Tesco stores in Wales with their 50g milk, white and plain best Belgian chocolate.

To cater for the increase in demand the Caerphilly based company, which earlier this year moved into a 1,100 sq ft purpose built unit on the Bedwas Industrial Estate, has increased its number of employees to five.

Former sweet shop owners Dave and Susan Hughes formed Castle Chocolates two and a half years ago, following a chance meeting with a Master Chocolatier in Bruges, the �capital� of the chocolate world.

Every chocolate product is made by hand to fine Belgian recipes, and along the way the company has received help and guidance from the Welsh Assembly Government, including assistance from the Agri Food Development Fund.

Says Dave Hughes, �We are thrilled that Tesco are to stock our chocolates. We would like to thank Mark Grant and Enfys Fox from Tesco for making it so easy to supply them and we look forward to a long and successful trading relationship.�

Mark Grant Senior Buying Manager for Wales adds: ''It's great to be working with Dave and Sue Hughes at Castle Chocolates. Every single chocolate is produced by hand and I am confident our customers are going to love their quality chocolates made in Caerphilly.''

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NOTES TO EDITORS

For more details about the company and products please contact:

Castle Chocolates Unit 9 Venture Wales Bedwas Industrial Estate Caerphilly CF83 8GF Tel: 029 20 882229 Email: sales@castlechocolates.co.uk Website: www.castlechocolates.co.uk Contact: Dave Hughes

Contact: Leigh Roberts 01656 788336 / 07739 511466 Email: leigh@colemanroberts.co.uk