DIRECTORS at Northern Foods plc, parent company of pie manufacturer Hollands of Baxenden, saw their pay packages rise last year, according to the firm's annual report.

The rises came after sales and profits rose at the group which supplies chilled and frozen foods, biscuits, dairy products and savoury goods.

Chief executive Jo Stewart, 51, received a £58,650 bonus, relating to the previous year's performance, and £345,335 salary.

Together with benefits his total package was £423,051, up from £390,897 the previous year.

Finance director Sean Christie, 43, received a bonus of £38,420 and a basic salary of £226,335.

Together with benefits his total pay package for the year was £278,711, up from £260,872.

Personnel director Michael Morgan, who retired in December, received a bonus of £23,333 and a salary payment for the part of the year he served of £158,072 as part of a £194,738 package.