FAST-GROWING Blackburn baker Inter Link Foods has completed its fourth takeover since the beginning of the year.

The company has acquired William Lusty Limited, which sells a range of traditional sponge and fruitcakes to multiple retailers and superstores, in a £400,000 deal.

The Inter Link group, which now employs more than 700 people, specialises in chocolate mini rolls, Swiss rolls, fruit pies and cherry bakewells.

Its products are sold through supermarket chains such as Tesco, Morrisons and Safeway.

The company's acquisition spree began in January when it bought Dewsbury-based Newton House Bakery. The following month saw the purchase of Cakes for the Connoiseur, which distributes cakes, biscuits and confectionery products through depots at Huddersfield, Luton and Avonmouth.

TV stars such as Bagpuss, Bart Simpson, Bob the Builder and Winnie the Pooh 'signed up' with the company when it took over The Creative Cake Company which makes licensed character cakes in March.

Inter Link chairman Jeremy Hamer said the company has been working closely with the William Lusty management team to improve performance and he announced that new business had been won.

"William Lusty is now trading profitably and several new product listings should enhance performance further," he said.

"We are confident that during this financial year, William Lusty should produce a turnover in excess of £3.5 million and provide a significant contribution to the Group's operating profit."

Inter Link, which will be making two cash payments of £200,000 each in March 2002 and 2003 for William Lusty, has seen the price of its shares soar by more than 25 per cent in recent months.

The company will be announcing its final results for the year on July 9 and Jeremy Hamer has advised shareholders that they will be in line with expectations.