Chocolate tour is 44 years late

The couple had complained about a chocolate bar

A couple offered a factory visit by chocolate giant Cadbury in the late 1950s after complaining about a substandard product are taking up the invitation - 44 years late.

The consumers, who have not been named but are understood to be from Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, recently contacted the confectioner, asking if they could tour its factory in Bournville, Birmingham.

A Cadbury spokesman confirmed the couple were originally issued an invite on 21 July 1959, which was sent along with a replacement bar of chocolate.

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

It is understood that the couple have timed their visit to Cadbury's to coincide with a camping trip to Clent, north Worcestershire.