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

The Northern Echo launched its 'Best Bakery 2024' competition earlier this month to celebrate the finest establishments in our region, and today is the last chance to vote for your favourite.

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Our top ten finalists were:

  •  Bakerman, based in Clark's Yard, Darlington, who specialises in bread but serves up some delicious sweet treats too;
  •  Bank Top Bakery, in Victoria Road, Darlington, who took on an established bakery business earlier this year to put their own stamp on it;
  •  Longstaff's Family Bakers, in Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, who recently celebrated 30 years of baking;
  •  Milligans, in Church Street, Shildon, the chain bakery which has hit the mark with locals for its flavoursome pasties;
  •  Nobia and Sons, in Horse Market, Barnard Castle, who have fused Ghanaian and Yorkshire baking to great success;
  •  Number Eight Bakehouse, in Post House Wynd, Darlington, which serves up amazing flavour combinations every day;
  •  Robineau Cafe and Patisserie, in Auckland Road, Cockerton, which is famed for its pastry and chocolate treats;
  •  The Leas Bakery, in Thompson Street East, Darlington, a third-generation bakery with a local following;
  •  Thomas the Baker, in High Row, Darlington, another chain bakery which hits the mark with its customers;
  •  Walkers Butchers and Bakers, in Simpasture Gate, Newton Aycliffe, which boasts three generations of bakers and more than 50 years of trade.

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

“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."