LEDBURY bakers, Peter Cooks Bread, which opened its doors in March earlier this year, has gained instant recognition by scooping the top prize of overall winner of the Tiptree World Bread Awards 2014, for its tasty ciabatta.

Based at the Hop Pocket, near Bishop's Frome, Peter Cooks Bread is a partnership between award-winning baker, Peter Cook, with over 20 years of professional baking experience, and Shona Kelly, a former marketer in London, who swapped the city for the country, and an office for a bakery.

In the spring, the business made the news as the creator of the popular "Ledbury Loaf".

Stephen Hallam, a Master Baker and chairman of he judges said of the competition entry from Peter Cooks Bread: “The ciabatta was almost perfect”

Mr Cook said: “We are overjoyed with the award. It means so much at this early stage of our business. We use the same sponge in our ciabatta as we do in our Ledbury Loaf, which is what gives it such a real depth of flavour.”

Peter Cooks Bread also won gold for their Blackberry Focaccia in the flatbread category and bronze for their Cider Crumb in the speciality category.

The Awards were presented at St John’s in Hyde Park, London, following a Harvest Supper.