The vegan sausage roll has generated sales of more than £1 billion for Greggs

Greggs has reported annual sales of over £1 billion for the first time as it shakes off the gloom surrounding the high street and celebrates the success of its vegan sausage roll.

The bakery chain, which has also noticed an increase in interest in its breakfast offer, is now entering the market with hot meals served later, offering potato wedges and goujons.

It reported a 15% increase in pre-tax profits to £82.6m in 2018, while total sales rose to £1.03bn.

The results come after Greggs last month announced it had had a strong start to 2019, with like-for-like sales rising 9.6% in the first seven weeks of the year.

For comparison, in 2018 sales increased by 2.9%, with sales suffering due to extreme weather conditions.

Chief executive Roger Whiteside said there was “significant uncertainty” in Britain’s Brexit negotiations and the potential impact of a “disorderly” exit from the EU could impact supply chains, tariffs, exchange rates and consumer demand.

But he added: “Greggs has started 2019 in great shape, thanks in part to the buzz surrounding the launch of our vegan sausage rolls.

“We hope to continue to benefit from this strong momentum in the first half of 2019.”

Greggs said the “extraordinary level of social and general media interest” following the launch of its vegan sausage rolls had resulted in increased store visits.

The chain sells 1.5 million sausage rolls a week, but created the new option due to public demand after more than 20,000 people signed an online petition from PETA activists last year calling for a vegan version.

The film’s release sparked a wave of interest and anger, prompting comments from the likes of Piers Morgan and comedian Ricky Gervais.

Greggs is also currently developing its offer of “quick meals for later in the day, when demand for sweet pastries and cold sandwiches is at its peak”.

It said hot sandwiches are now available in all stores and self-service hot cabinets are being introduced, serving items such as soup, potato wedges and chicken goujons.