SWEET-LOVERS rejoice – some of the nation's best-loved treats may soon be manufactured in Middlewich.

Swizzels, whose products include Love Hearts, Refreshers, and Drumsticks, has exchange contracts on a unit at MA6NITUDE.

The confectionary company plan to moved into the new 158,000sq ft manufacturing facility, which will eventually make up part of a 460,000sq ft development on the estate off the Salt Cellar roundabout towards junction 18 of the M6.

The new facility for Swizzels Matlow Ltd will be an expansion of the firm's current manufacturing set-up, and involves a significant additional investment in new manufacturing plant and machinery.

Jeremy Dee, managing director, said: “We are excited to embark upon this development to further support the growth of our business.

"We look forward to working with Tritax Symmetry at MA6NITUDE in the delivery of what we are confident will be a first-rate manufacturing facility.

“With the deal now signed, we are aiming to submit the planning application imminently.”

Tritax Symmetry is an arm of one of the UK's biggest investment companies.

David Nuttall, development director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “Bringing a well-respected and long-established company to Ma6nitude is a huge coup for both the scheme and the region.

"Swizzels’ decision to choose Ma6nitide as the location for such a significant investment in growing their business emphasises the quality of the site and their confidence in our ability to deliver this new manufacturing facility.

"This is also excellent news for Middlewich too, bringing a range of good quality jobs to the area.”

Swizzels Matlow was formed in Hackney in the 1920s, before the Blitz forced them out of the city and north, to New Mills in Derbyshire where a factory remains today.

In the year-end 2018, the group posted pre-tax profits of more than £11,000,000.