Sainsbury’s is to extend its listings for posh ready meal brand Charlie Bigham’s to 300 stores next month.

The national rollout of six of the brand’s meals for two - fish pie, lasagne, cottage pie, macaroni cheese, moussaka and carbonara - follows a trial at 50 Sainsbury’s stores from last November.

Bigham’s secured the trial after turning up outside Sainsbury’s London HQ and giving out ready meals to 500 staff, along with a card asking them to tell the retailer’s buyer if they enjoyed the food.

“We’re always on the lookout for new and inspiring suppliers and Charlie Bigham’s has been a welcome addition,” said Sainsbury’s buyer Lisa De Meyer.

Founder Charlie Bigham said 2012 had been an “incredible” year for the brand, adding that sales had more than doubled year-on-year to £12m. “The great news is that our growth has complemented our retail customers’ own-label brands,” he added.

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