The Northern Echo wants to find the best bakery in the region, and we need you to nominate your favourites.

From flavourful pies and pasties to cakes and artisan breads, County Durham and Darlington is home to some amazing baker and bakeries.

Today the Northern Echo launches it's 'Best Bakery 2024' competition to celebrate the finest establishments in our region, and we want you to help us decide. 

Echo readers can now nominate their favourite bakery in the region via our online voting platform which can be found here.

Online nominations will run between Monday, August 19, and Sunday, August 25, with the ten finalists being revealed on Tuesday, August 27.

Readers will then be able vote for their ‘Best Bakery 2024’ by picking up copies of The Northern Echo in the days to follow as we profile all the lucky finalists.

The Northern Echo editor Gavin Foster said: "The Best Bakery competition gives us an opportunity to put the spotlight on some great businesses across the region.

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“We know we have some fantastic bakeries out there across Darlington and County Durham, making everything from pies to cakes, breads to pasties, and some of our region’s own baked delicacies like the stottie and pink slice.

“Here at The Northern Echo we want to recognise and celebrate the fabulous (and tasty) work of bakeries across our cities, towns and villages, and the bakers behind them who often work through the night to bring us fresh bakes each morning.

“That's why we’re delighted to launch our search for the Best Bakery to help put them on the map and celebrate all that they do. Nominations are open now and we’ll be bringing you updates on those shortlisted in our competition – so keep an eye out to see if your favourite is featured and for more information on how to vote.”