A regional journalist who revived Britain’s oldest biscuit has won a contract to supply it to supermarkets across the country.

James Shepherd, a former web editor at the Chester Chronicle, set up the Aberffraw Biscuit Company after leaving the industry to bake the biscuit of the same name, which was first baked in Anglesey in the 13th century.

Now James and his wife Natasha have completed a deal with the Co-operative to stock his biscuits in 60 stores and is looking at launching a new range – Shepherd’s Welsh Biscuits – with an unnamed major retailer.

The pair set up their company in 2013 after watching a feature about the Aberffraw biscuit on the Great British Bake Off.

James and Natasha Shepherd with their biscuits

James told business magazine BQ: “I’ve always been a keen cook and I do all the cooking at home. I’ve always enjoyed cooking for friends and family.

“I found a 19th century recipe that called for loaf sugar, which I’d never heard of. I tried to replicate it but it just looked like sludge so I updated the recipe as best I could.

“There are just three ingredients – flour, butter and sugar – and I created a special stamp to make it look like a shell.”

He added: “I never thought I would set up my own business, but I love being my own boss, being able to drop the kids at school and having time to think about what I do next.

“I was never one of those people who knew what I wanted to do. I remember a physiotherapist came to school to talk about their career and I thought I might give it a try.”