AN artisan baker has crossed the English Channel to teach disadvantaged young people the disappearing art of traditional breadmaking.

The Clervaux Trust asked Philippe Bayo, 49, to swap south west France for Darlington after it was unable to find an artisan baker in the UK.

The trust, which has an ecofriendly ethos, offers young people who are not in mainstream education employment opportunities through traditional crafts such as baking, animal husbandry, metalwork, textiles, pottery, and “green” woodworking.

It runs premises at the Clow Beck Eco Centre, near Darlington, and at Clervaux Artisan Bakery and Cafe, in Coniscliffe Road, Darlington.

Mr Bayo, who is from the Marseilles area, started working for the trust six weeks ago and has established a range of traditional English bread, with varieties including black pudding, cheese and onion and olive.

He also makes authentic French baguettes, using specialist flour and traditional techniques, as well as croissants, pain au chocolat and scones.

He is now creating a Clervaux variety of bread.

The bread has proved so popular, the bakery may buy a van to enable the trust to deliver throughout the region. There has also been interest from hotels and restaurants.

Mr Bayo, who has been baking for 35 years and starts work at 4am each day, said: “I am very happy to be part of this project.

“Baking is hard work, very physical, but the result when it is done like this is so much better.

“The trainees are great and really want to learn.”

Ricky Felstead, 20, who has worked for the trust since September, said: “I really enjoy baking.

It is hard work, but fun.”

Rick McCordall, the trust’s commercial manager, said: “We think Philippe has made an excellent addition to the team. He has developed ten varieties of bread so far, and has lots of new ideas for products.

“They have proved extremely popular, simply through word of mouth.”

Samples of the bread will be on offer at the trust’s summer festival, which takes place from 10am to 4pm tomorrow.

The free event, at Clow Beck, will give people a chance to see and try out traditional and ecofriendly crafts, including pottery, blacksmithing and spinning, as well as sampling fresh produce.

Entertainment will also be on offer and those attending will get the chance to meet the trust’s piglets and lambs.