CO2 shortage halts Warburton's crumpet production in Burnley

Burnley's Warburton's site has halted production of its crumpets due to a shortage of CO2.

The national baking giant, which has a plant in Billington Road, Burnley, has had to halt production of its popular crumpets due to a UK and European shortage of carbon dioxide, widely used in the food processing and drinks industries.

Tearmh Taylor, a spokesman for Warburton's, said: "We have had quite big shortfalls. We're probably running at about 50% of what we can normally make."

Warburton's supplies 1.5 million crumpets a week to customers in the UK, packaged using carbon dioxide to give them longer shelf life and prevent mould.

The company also halted production at its plant in London.

The shortage of CO2 is believed to be down to a number of carbon dioxide producers having closed for maintenance or scaled down operations.