A SOUTH Lakeland artisan baker has been shortlisted for an illustrious industry award.

Aidan Monks, the owner of Lovingly Artisan, Plumgarths, Kendal, is among the finalists in the Baker of the Year Award at this year's Baking Industry Awards (BIA) in London.

He has been shortlisted alongside fellow bakers Paul Rhodes of Paul Rhodes Bakery, Notting Hill and Greenwich, London, and Aidan Chapman of Flint Owl Bakery, Lewes, East Sussex.

This year’s swanky black-tie awards will take place in the capital on September 5 at the Hilton Park Lane hotel, with the evening's proceedings set to be hosted by in demand TV presenter Stephen Mulhern.

Yet again the judging has been rigorous, with the BIA judges scouring the length and breadth of the UK during the last few months to find the best bakery businesses, products and people.

"It’s an incredible honour being shortlisted alongside the other finalists in the BIA’s," said Aidan. "The awards are the biggest night in the baking industry calendar and provide a magnificent stage on which to acknowledging the skills and achievements of my whole team.

"Not only that, they provide the whole industry with the opportunity to celebrate the individuals and businesses who are at the forefront of the re-emergence of the UK’s artisan bakeries, alongside all those who contribute to this magnificent industry.’’