UXBRIDGE now has its own chocolate factory – but it was David, not Charlie, who performed the opening ceremony.

Cllr David Yarrow, the Mayor of Hillingdon, was at Trade City in Cowley Mill Road to declare PLAYin CHOC officially open for business.

He and the mayoress, Mary O’Connor, were given a tour by founders Maya and Dominic Simler.

They were shown the sustainable, plastic-free and recyclable packaging, had the chocolate-making process explained and came away with some samples.

PLAYin CHOC is vegan, allergen-free, soy-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.

Staff are all from Hillingdon and the surrounding area and the firm has committed to supporting the Christmas charities which Cllr Yarrow organises each year.