The race to crown The Northern Echo’s Best Bakery in Darlington and County Durham is now well and truly on.

With our ten finalists announced, we will be featuring each one over the next ten days and readers can vote for their favourite to win.

While many bakeries have been in the same families for generations, others are relatively new – but in our top ten that doesn't make them any less beloved by their customers.

Bank Top Bakery, in Victoria Road, Darlington, opened as a bakery seven years ago under Colin Jepson and Paul Hope, but due to ill health, the pair stood down earlier this year.

However, landlord of the building, William Lees, saw an opportunity to carry on their good work and maintain the popular community bakery.

William said: "It has been a bit of a baptism of fire. I took over the business in March, and knew it was popular so I had big shoes to fill. I kept Colin and Paul's recipes, so we have been able to continue creating customer favourites. We thought it was good to keep that going."

"I'm a builder by trade, but when they said they'd be leaving, I just thought it might be a good opportunity to run it with my girlfriend Tracey.

"Our traybakes are definitely the most popular items – millionaires and tiffin sell really well.

"It is a great community up here. We've got lots of regular customers, and we all like to have a bit of banter. It's just a great environment to work in.

"Being nominated and making the top ten just proves we are doing something right. We're all delighted!"

To vote for your favourite bakery, cut out the voting slip in The Northern Echo and return it by post to Suite 10, Second Floor, Coniscliffe House, Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7EE.