A preform (207, 301), and a container (201, 312, 319) blown therefrom in a modified two stage process (as defined in the specification) is disclosed having a loop (202, 304, 313) defining a handle portion of the resulting blown container and wherein the loop is integrally connected by both a first end (306) and a second end (308) to respective first location (307) and second location (309) of the preform during manufacture of the preform.