AN award-winning Halstead firm which lets sweet-toothed foodies get their chocolate spread fixes without overdosing on calories has gone global.

Kevin Bath, 51, from Halstead, launched Jimjams with wife Kellie in 2016.

They have just started shipping their low-cal chocolate spreads to 800 supermarkets in the US and now hope to become one of the world’s leading brands.

Kevin formerly served with the Royal Navy for six years before taking a job as an IT consultant in London earning about £65,000 a year, but gave it all up to launch Jimjams.

He said: “It was a massive leap of faith but we’re now in major supermarkets.

“Our turnover has increased by 120 per cent since last year and year on year we’re seeing a significant sales increase.”

The products launched in US stores in January, 18 months after appearing on shop shelves in Dubai.

Kevin said the products, which were inspired by the couple’s horror at seeing the sugar levels in other leading brands, are now doing well in all corners of the world.

He said: “They are selling well and we are about to launch a Facebook campaign for south east USA talking to brands like Whole Food and brands in the health food sector.

"It’s a good opportunity.

“A total of 800 stores in public supermarkets is a huge deal and I hope that other retailers in the US will be interested, now we have out foot in the door to expand.”

The company has also just launched a milk chocolate dipper which is now available in Holland and Barrett.

Kevin hopes to get his latest creation into Disney theme parks in America as well as leading theme parks in the UK.

He said: “If Disney and other parks are interested, and I can envision the products selling in school tuck shops and NHS shops as a snack for visitors, it has loads of scope.”

Jimjams products are already a favourite in the UK, with iconic brands like Hilton hotels using them.

Kevin said the hotels recently adopted Jimjams spreads which has resulted in a three-tonne reduction on its “sugar print”.

The business began in the couple’s kitchen and despite its global success it is still a very family-run operation.

Even their children Jack and Evie get involved making recipes and videos.

Jimjams now employs a total of five people, including Kevin and Kellie, and they are looking to recruit two more in the near future to look after the latest product.

Kevin added: “The ultimate goal is probably to be the go-to brand for healthier chocolate products.

“The biggest consumers of chocolate spread are children and most of the leading brands are still full of sugar so the market did need a sugar-free spread.

“I’d love to say I think it is possible – we have plenty of ideas and new products.”