A fast-growing bakery chain based with stores across Suffolk and Norfolk has snapped up a business making gluten-free sweet treats.

Two Magpies acquired Love a Taste Limited - which trades as Hilton Macarons - for an undisclosed sum.

Hilton Macarons - based in Framlingham - was founded by James Hilton and Andrea O’Keeffe who developed the recipes and created and launched the brand in 2019.

It focuses on producing hand-made macarons - which are all gluten-free and vegetarian - from its Suffolk premises.

Over the last four years, it has scooped eight Great Taste Awards, developed more than 60 flavours and tapped into a nationwide customer base. It is ranked second out of 24 for patisserie in the UK according to Trustpilot with a Trust Score of 4.9.

James said they were "delighted" the company would be joining the Two Magpies family and would remain in East Anglia.

"We have a solid wholesale business and a loyal online customer base, and we are very excited by the enhanced growth prospects for Hilton Macarons given Two Magpies' significant high street presence across East Anglia and access to the resources of a larger group."

Two Magpies chief executive Steve Magnall said: "Hilton Macarons is without a doubt one of the best in this space and a perfect fit for us.

"This acquisition opens new markets for us and gives us an even greater presence in the gluten free sweet market. We are pleased to have agreed the purchase and look forward to growing the brand alongside the Two Magpies Brand.”

Two Magpies operations director Yasmin Wyatt will be leading the integration of Hilton Macarons into the Two Magpies business.

"We look forward to having Hilton Macarons as a sister business to ours,” she said.

Two Magpies employs a workforce of more than 100 bakers, pastry chefs and baristas and runs bakery cafés in Aldeburgh, Norwich, Blakeney, Holt, Woodbridge, Beccles,  Wells-next-the-Sea & Framlingham as well as a bake school in Darsham.