Brown in crepe seal of approval

Gordon Brown views the pancake production process

The launch of a new Fife delicacy has been overseen by the local MP and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown.

The baker behind the treat says it expects 25 jobs to be created as a result of demand for the product.

Described as a "pancake with a twist", it combines two crepes with fresh fillings including strawberry, raspberry and blueberry.

Mr Brown tasted the "pancake pods" at Kingdom Bakers in Kirkcaldy on Friday.

The product is made on an automated hotplate - said to be one of only three in Europe - and the factory premises are built around the machine.

The baker has set up an offshoot business - the St Andrews Cake Company - to distribute the product and is already planning more innovative treats using the hotplate, which was put in place following a £1m investment.

Employment rise

Support was provided by Business Gateway in Fife and the Scottish Executive, which assisted the project with a Regional Selective Assistance grant.

Business Gateway also helped with the design and implementation of the company's expanded manufacturing facility.

Harry Guyan, managing director of Kingdom Bakers, said: "Pancakes are popular across all demographics but there has been no innovation for years and years.

"They were crying out to be transformed and when you see how muffin sales soared when outlets started adding the likes of blueberries you start to get a sense of what pods can accomplish."

Joe Noble, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise Fife, added: "Kingdom Bakers is already creating new jobs in Fife and I look forward to seeing employment rise."