AN ARTISAN baker has impressed TV judges with her creative culinary treats and won her way to a regional final of the talent competition.

Alex Franks, from Patrick Brompton, has run the Angel’s Share at The Station, Richmond, for six years and has previously run a Darlington deli.

And after being persuaded by colleagues she agreed to take part in ITV’s baking competition, Britain’s Best Baker, which features on Mondays at 4pm.

After beating off rival bakers from the area on Monday, (January 6), Mrs Franks will next appear this afternoon (Friday, January 10) in the regional final.

If successful, she will go on to compete against finalists from across the county and try to win a place in the grand final.

She said: “When I got a phone call from producers of the show asking me to take part I was initially unsure, but then I told a colleague and he said I should go for it.

“It was great fun to do, I met a lot of other bakers from around the country and I got some lovely feedback from the judges Mich Tuner and Peter Sidwell.

“In the first show I made a Cumberland ham, sage and apple pie and it really impressed them.”

Renowned cake maker Mich Turner has received an MBE for services to the catering industry, while award winning chef and artisan baker Peter Sidwell is one of the country’s leading bread experts.

Mrs Franks said she intends to make whatever she bakes in the show available for her customers at the Angel’s Share.

“I think it is important for me to make the most of the exposure while I can because people can forget about the programme once it has finished,” she said.

“People have been coming in and asking about it though which is great.

“Business is tough for everyone at the moment but I have tried to mention my local suppliers on the show – including Cockburn’s in Bedale, Wensleydale Cheese and Carrick’s Fish.”

Although filming for the show finished last year, Mrs Franks can’t yet reveal how well she has done in the competition.