OMBERSLEY Bakery has been bringing in the dough for husband and wife team Diane and Max Seivewright for 20 years.

Now, the couple will be marking the anniversary of their village business with a special celebration starting on Thursday, December 18.

For a week, they will be greeting every customer with a slice of birthday cake and treating their extra special long-standing customers to a glass of sparkling wine.

Mrs Seivewright said: “We all feel very happy, especially because we get to say we’re 20 again and two of our staff, Mandie Goddard and Ruth Collins, have been here since the start.

“Twenty years ago it was just a simple village shop and we took it over just before Christmas in 1988. The local baker retired and we decided to rebuild the old bakery at the back of our house, which had fallen into extreme disrepair.

We decided that this traditional craft should not be lost to our generation so we learned how to make bread.

“My husband is a chef but he had never baked like this before.

“Things have moved on a lot in 20 years. We’ve had two refits and changed from selling groceries to just bread.

“Now, we’ve diversified to selling cakes, hot pork rolls and food as well and we’ve started doing single meal takeaways, which are especially good for people on their own and for pensioners.”

As part of the changes Mr and Mrs Seivewright have also opened their adjoining Georgian home as a bed and breakfast and signed up with Heart of England Fine Foods (HEFF) to make the most of regional food and drink. They will sell this in the bakery and provide it for guests in the B&B through HEFF’s Savour the Flavour scheme.

Bonnie Joplin, HEFF marketing executive for Worcestershire, said: “Ombersley Bakery really is at the heart of the community and provides a fantastic service for the village and the surrounding area. With their newly-opened bed and breakfast Mr and Mrs Seivewright will now also be welcoming tourists to the area and using local produce for their breakfasts.”

As part of the anniversary celebrations the Seivewrights are organising a raffle in aid of the Worcester branch of the Children’s Diabetic Association.

The winner will win a hamper of food and drink.

Tickets are on sale at the bakery and will be drawn on December 18 – the date of the anniversary. Staff will also make party hats and wear them throughout the week, asking customers to vote for the best. The winner will receive a bottle of wine.