William Santus & Co. Ltd: Wigan ’s famous sweets are on the fast track to success.

Despite the recession, Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls have been flying off the shelves and now they are set to go even quicker after they were snapped up by Richard Branson for his high speed trains.

Packets of the celebrated mints made by William Santus & Co. Limited will soon be appearing on the 52 express trains which storm up and down the West Coast mainline between Glasgow and London Euston at 120mph.

While it isn’t a particularly large contract in terms of quantity, it is another prestigious coup for the Dorning Street family firm.

The deal was struck not at any of the numerous trade shows that John and Antony Winnard ply their famous produce, but in France.

Co-director John said: “We were at Paris Sial exhibition before Christmas in the hope of picking up some international trade but, to our surprise this guy from Virgin Trains came over and showed an interest.

“As a result we have signed a deal for Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls and our Pear Drops to be supplied on all of their 52 trains between Euston and Glasgow.

We are only starting with a few packets on each train but it should gradually build up and this is more about prestige than shifting large quantities of sweets.”

While many companies have been struggling during the credit crunch so far, Santus have bucked the trend by enjoying one of the busiest spells since the company was established more than a century ago.