A BAKERY chain that began with one small corner shop and now employs more than 700 people has taken another step along the road to becoming the leading retail bakery in the North.

Peters Cathedral Bakers, which produces enough bread, cakes, pies and sandwiches to keep nearly 100 shops from Northumberland to Yorkshire supplied on a daily basis, has just been awarded the Investors in People standard (IIP).

The company began with a small shop in Durham 35 years ago, and now has a factory on Dragonville Industrial Estate.

Still run by founder Peter Knowles, alongside his two sons and brother, the bakery has expanded rapidly in the past three years.

Director Richard Knowles said: "We can continue to succeed and grow only by giving customers exceptional products and service.

"To achieve this we need a committed and highly motivated workforce and it is vital to involve every member of staff in IIP."

He added: "Business Link County Durham kept us on the right lines throughout the whole process and we put together an IIP implementation team that included senior managers, shop managers, bakery employees and representatives from finance and administration to look at the whole range of company activities."

Janet Keen, IIP adviser for Business Link County Durham, said: "Investors in People provides a flexible framework for employers to develop the best practice in people management.

"Everyone at Peters has been really committed and they should be congratulated for their effots.

"It is companies like this that have taken County Durham to top place in the region and fifth nationally for successful IIP awards."