Cadbury World has revealed that 2002 was one of its most successful ever years!

More than 534,000 chocoholics visited the centre in Bourneville, Birmingham during the past 12 months - one of the best ever attendance levels since opening in 1990. This follows an excellent 2001 when numbers also rose.

According to research carried out amongst visitors, the reason for Cadbury World's success in 2001-2 was primarily due to the major improvement in facilities and attractions in recent years, which make the visit much better value.

And the improvement continues in 2003. The visitor centre has re-opened to the public following a £1/2 million investment to rebuild and extend the retail area, creating the 'Biggest Cadbury Shop in the World'.

The shop will sell a far larger range of Cadbury chocolates and exclusive gifts in a much more comfortable and contemporary environment for visitors. Says Cadbury World Marketing Manager Colin Samways, "We asked our visitors what they wanted from the shop and it was obvious that a complete re-fit with more space was the only solution".

And for chocolate lovers, there's also a brand new Café Cadbury within Cadbury World - the second café of its type following the huge success of the pilot café in Bath which has attracted fans from around the world.

Visitors can indulge in a sublime selection of delicious treats, all lavished with Cadbury chocolate, including cakes, freshly baked pastries and cookies. The beverages menu includes indulgent drinks such as the Chocolate Experience and That Friday Feeling which come with marshmallows heaped into Cadbury's hot chocolate, finished off with fresh whipped cream and either a bar of Flake or Crunchie, finally dusted with cocoa.