Bond and Bake Offs boost for Aga

The unlikely combination of Mary Berry and James Bond have helped to give Aga's chief executive William McGrath "an air of optimism for 2013".

Mrs Berry's 18th edition of the New Aga Cookbook will be published early next year and has received a boost from the success of the Great British Bake Off.

Bond's Aga, as seen in Skyfall, probably needs replacing given what happened to his Scottish family home. Aga Rangemaster said that after a late start to its important autumn season, trading for its major brands had shown "some encouraging signs".

Aga volumes are up 4 per cent. Weak sales in the UK were offset by growth on the Continent.

Its long-standing pension deficit is close to being resolved.