SHOPKEEPER Peter Toms has condemned the Government’s ‘pasty tax’ for threatening his livelihood.

He has launched a petition at the Kernow Pantry in West Street, Bridport and warned that the new regulations may put him out of business.

His comments come after Chancellor George Osborne slapped a 20 per cent VAT on hot pies and pasties in his Budget.

Mr Toms, 59, who lives in Beaminster, said: “It’s disgusting.

“It could close us down and have four people out of work.

“It will mean 40 to 50 pence extra on a pasty.

“A lot of our customers are bus drivers and police, and they have commented on how much it will cost.”

Mr Toms worked as a bookbinder for 22 years, including at the Friary Press near Dorchester, before turning his hand to pasties.

His savoury snacks are made at Helston in Cornwall and delivered to his shop in Bridport.

He said: “I have been going for two-and-a-half years.

“It has been picking up all of the time and getting better and better.

“This is just a slap in the face.”

He added: “This tax is hitting the poor while letting off the rich.

“They will make £1.6 million in extra tax but will have to end up paying more in unemployment benefit when businesses close.

“It is very shortsighted.”

Mr Toms’s pasties sell at about £2.30 to £2.40 but he says he also has to cover staff costs and such overheads as electric bills.

He intends to give his petition to West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin so he can hand it to Mr Osborne.

Mr Osborne sparked outrage after saying that hot food such as pasties and sausage rolls would have 20 per cent VAT slapped on them.

Bakers also asked how to define whether a product was hot or cold – especially if it was cooked and then left to cool over a period.