AN ARTISAN crab cake producer who started out in business on the Isle of Wight, is about to star as a finalist on Channel 4's Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

Hayley Elston, the founder of The Fabulous Catch Company, has beaten hundreds of hopefuls to appear on the popular programme on Tuesday next week, April 2. 

The six-part series is described as a mix of 'Dragon’s Den meets Master Chef'.

The entrepreneur started her business in Yarmouth, back in 2012, to help a group of fishermen sell unwanted brown crab meat. 

In those days, Hayley ran a takeaway, called Catch, which was located in the previously unused garden of the Yarmouth Institute.

Before opening Catch, Hayley sold popular fish finger sandwiches at the Bestival, in Robin Hill. 

Hayley created her crab cakes using every edible part of the crab, to create a zero-waste product.

Loaded with brown crab meat, the cakes include leeks, a smattering of chilli, some fresh parsley, lemon juice and seasoning.

Hayley's small, independent fish and crab cake business, is now geared towards producing sustainable, British fish products.

Also described by the programme makers as "a larger than life" character, Hayley, from the New Forest, will come up against food and drink suppliers listed in more than 1,000 Aldi stores nationwide.

Hayley said of her signature produce, she calls Crabulous Crabcakes: “We have worked so hard to get this product where it is today. 

"We started making crab cakes, because there was an abundance of brown crab meat on the Isle of Wight. 

"Brown crab meat is often overlooked, but this is where the flavour is. It tastes fabulous.”

The prize for the winner is a life-changing contract to stock Aldi stores nationwide.

The programme, hosted by Anita Rani and Chris Bavin, will see suppliers compete in a range of categories, including dinners and baked goods, as well as exciting new category additions — party, world and confectionery.

Products are judged on factors such as price, packaging, shopper demand and the producer's ability to scale up, before contestants are whittled down to just two. 

Starts at 8pm next Tuesday.