Ena Baxter - a key figure in the growth of the iconic Scottish canning and bottling manufacturer Baxters - has died aged 90.

Ena joined both the Baxter family and the business, which was founded by George Baxter in 1868, when she married Gordon Baxter in 1952. Over the next four decades she helped grow the business into a leading fmcg supplier, creating recipes for many of its soups, sauces and jams.

She was also the face of Baxters for many years, featuring in its adverts and making numerous TV appearances.

“Ena was hugely influential in the development of Baxters, turning this little operation into a global food brand, introducing to a national and international audience specialties such as cock-a-leekie soup and Scotch broth, and reviving interest in the heritage of Scottish cuisine,” said The Grocer editor Adam Leyland.

“Above all, Ena was a foodie (before the term was even invented), and even in her later working life she continued to challenge herself, her company and the supermarkets by developing new recipes, and broadening the Baxters range to reflect changing consumer tastes.”A spokesman for the company said: “The Baxter family confirms with great sadness that Mrs Ena Baxter passed away on Thursday 15 January. The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time.”

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