AN ACCOUNTANT who swapped number crunching to make homemade preserves has launched a new flavour of jam.

Brian Horwich, 51, set up Pant Glas Bach Preserves with his wife Carol four years ago.

Since then he has seen the business go from strength to strength and the pair now make more than 70 types of chutneys, jams, pickles, curds and marmalades.

The latest flavour created by Brian is raspberry and vanilla jam, which is already proving a hit with customers.

“It’s sensational with scones and cream,” said Brian, who launched the business when a neighbour sampled his preserves and suggested he tried selling them.

“Blackcurrant and liquorice is our bestseller and has been ordered from far afield –  we’ve even had an order from Sweden.

“Depending on the time of year we have about 70 to 80 recipes, it depends on what we’ve got a glut of.”

Pant Glas Bach Preserves, based on a smallholding in Axton, near Holywell, was the bronze award winner in the jam, marmalade and honey category of the Wales True Taste Awards 2010/11 for its gooseberry and elderflower jam.

“I just fancied a change from being an accountant,” said Brian, who cooks the preserves in the kitchen in his house.

“We try and grow as much as we can and use seasonal crops.”

Brian and Carol will be selling their produce at Mold Food Festival, which is being held on Saturday, September 24 and Sunday, September 25 on the town’s New Street car park.

Brian added: “My only regret is that I didn’t do this 30 years ago.”

Pant Glas Bach Preserves are also sold in Hawarden Farm Shop, Theatr Clwyd, Bodelwyddan Castle and at farmers’ markets around the region.

For more information go to www.jam-chutney.co.uk or www.moldfoodfestival. co.uk.