Frozen food brand Linda McCartney has a long future ahead in Fakenham, bosses have said this week. Three new product lines are to be added to the Fakenham-based frozen vegetarian food range, it was announced.

Frozen food brand Linda McCartney has a long future ahead in Fakenham, bosses have said this week.

Three new product lines are to be added to the Fakenham-based frozen vegetarian food range, it was announced.

The meat-free ready meal producer has come up with new lines - vegetarian mince, vegetarian “meatballs” and vegetarian “chicken-style” pieces.

They are all part of a review of the producer's portfolio and a rejuvenation of the brand.

The Vegetarian Mince will be exclusively listed in Sainsbury's stores nationwide from early autumn this year.

David Matwij, operations manager for the business, said that this was very good news for the Fakenham operation, and would help provide a solid future for the factory, which currently employs about 180 staff.

Peter McPhilips, recently appointed executive chairman of the firm, has promised to reinvigorate the brand with “the full blessing and support of Sir Paul McCartney and his family”.

Linda McCartney frozen food produce is made under licence by Hain Celestial at its Holt Road site in Fakenham, bought by the UK-wide group in 2006 from Heinz Frozen and Chilled Foods.

The new lines have been supported by the McCartney family as part of a rejuvenation of the entire brand to provide vegetarian cooks with an alternative to meat and existing meat-free options.

The frozen food brand had sales of £40m in its heyday, but had fallen to £10m prior to a relaunch at the end of last year.

The Fakenham factory was opened by Linda McCartney and it remains a dedicated meat-free site.