A local company is providing 6,000 marmalade sandwiches for the premier of the new star-studded Paddington Bear film next week.

Claire Moore started selling cupcakes on Bridport market six years go – since then she’s acquired a husband, 50 employees and an enviable client list that includes Vivenne Westwood, Spandau Ballet, Ben Elton and hairdresser Trevor Sorbie.

Claire and husband Ross now run the Sausage and Pear company and are just moving into new premises on the Dreadnought trading estate as well as converting an early Victorian country house into a wedding venue.

Ross said they’d been picked to make Paddington’s favourite snack through word of mouth and personal recommendation.

Ross and Claire are used to more culinary challenging menus but who could turn down the kudos of a film premier with the likes of Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters and Sally Hawkins.

Ross said: “We got chosen through recommendation.

“We do a lot of high-profile events in London but not a lot of people know who we are in Bridport.

“These people were at another even we catered at and they decided to use us because of it.

“Claire started the business on Bridport market selling cakes and scones and we used to be called Moore than Cupcakes which we did for 12 months and then we set up the catering side of the business, the Dorset Catering Company.

“Then we stopped doing cakes completely for the last five years we do mainly wedding catering and high-profile events.

“We catered for Spandau Ballet who were being awarded a lifetime’s achievement award at the Red Rooms, we catered for Ben Elton a few weeks ago after he was a guest at one of our weddings. We did a big European gaming event for 600 for Xbox a few weeks ago.”

Claire and Ross and their staff cater for about 120 weddings a year and have just been shortlisted for the wedding industry awards representing Dorset for the second year running.

Claire has always had a passion for cooking but is self taught, said Ross.

Their company name comes from school nicknames – Ross was called Sausage and Claire Pear.

A Dorchester museum will celebrate the release of Paddington Bear’s new film with a special exhibition.

The Teddy Bear Museum will host the unique display – featuring some of the very first limited edition Paddington soft toys, created by Gabrielle Designs in 1972.

The exhibition will also include a special bear to mark Paddington’s 50th birthday.

The different examples of Paddington will be surrounded by a range of memorabilia – including books, toys, games and posters. Keeping the children’s icon company will be some examples of rare Aunt Lucy bears.

Paddington fans can enjoy half price admission to the museum by mentioning the secret phrase ‘Marmalade Sandwiches’ – and can also benefit from 20 per cent off all Paddington merchandise. The museum is open daily from 10am to 4pm. For more details, visit teddybearmuseum.co.uk