A FAMILY run bakery has beaten off stiff competition to win the regional title of Northern Craft Bakery Business in this year's Baking Industry Awards (BIA).

Shipley-based Just Desserts is one of only seven shortlisted bakeries from across the UK which has been chosen to go forward to the national competition.

BIA judges travelled the length and breadth of the UK to find the best bakery businesses, products and people that stood out in terms of craft skills, product quality, innovation, creativity and business acumen in the thriving bakery sector.

The coveted accolade comes at a time when the Yorkshire bakery, which is more than 30 years old and employs 25 staff, has enjoyed a sustained period of growth over four consecutive years.

A win at national level will be the icing on the cake for the company as it announces growth plans for the next three years of 15 per cent year on year.

Just Desserts has built a reputation for producing a range of more than 130 high quality, award winning desserts and patisserie for the hospitality and foodservice markets, using traditional artisan baking techniques with 75 per cent made from scratch.

Commenting on the recent award win, James O’Dwyer, Just Deserts' managing director, said: “We are extremely proud to be named the Northern region’s Craft Bakery Business. We owe this success to our talented team, the consistently high standard and appeal of our handcrafted products, continuous innovation, capitalising on market trends and of paramount importance is our customer service.

“We are particularly pleased with recent product launches which have been very well received, including our vegan cake range and our new luxury cheesecakes.

"We recognised a consumer demand in the market for top quality dairy and egg free sweet treats and received an overwhelming response at the Fine Food Show trade launch in Harrogate earlier this year."

Just Desserts produces a wide range of premium desserts and pastries which are traditionally handcrafted to its own recipes.

The company was established by husband and wife team James and Carol O’Dwyer in 1985 when they made their first cake at Salts Mill.

Since then the company has won many awards and gained an enviable reputation among its hospitality and foodservice clients.

The finals of the Baking Industry Awards takes place at London's Hilton Hotel on September 5.