IT may be September but one Dorset business has already ordered 3.5million Christmas crackers.

Peeks, based in Christchurch, has become one of the country’s leading suppliers of crackers and has seen orders up 20 per cent on last year.

The company works about six months ahead of the real calendar so while most people were enjoying their summer holidays, Peeks was in full Christmas mode.

The long-established family business became one of the leading purveyors of crackers after taking over a rival business in 2015, and has seen orders go with a bang this year.

It sells to all the major pub companies, as well as hotel groups, clubs, restaurants and individuals.

Its mail order business remains buoyant and it trades through its website as well as its party store.

Managing director Nick Peek, the third generation of the family to be at the helm, said: “We are now selling more than three times as many crackers as we were three years ago – and this year orders are up by 20 per cent.

“The increase has been due in part to the acquisition of a cracker business, but also because more people are buying them.

“Those who go out over Christmas for a meal now expect crackers to be on the table, and pub groups and hotels know this.

“Also, individuals are buying more crackers and having them for occasions other than Christmas.

“It does seem a bit odd spending all day sorting crackers when it’s the middle of summer, but that is how we have to operate to get enough stock in good time.

“After we’ve got the Christmas and New Year stock organised, we’ll be moving on to Burns’ Night, Easter and then the summer season.”

The company was founded by Charles Peek in 1946 and provides all kinds of party products.