A bakery operating in Altrincham Market is celebrating after winning best North West bakery at the National Bakery Awards.

The ceremony was held on Wednesday, September 25 in London, where Lovingly Artisan was handed the North West award.

The bakery, set up 15 years ago, is based in both Kendal, Cumbria, and Altrincham, where they serve their sourdough bakes from a stall in the market.

It was not the first time Aidan Monks collected this awardIt was not the first time Aidan Monks collected this award (Image: Lovingly Artisan)

Aidan Monks, director at Lovingly Artisan, said: "To win against all the others is quite an achievement.

"We've been at Altrincham Market for 10 years and we love Altrincham, we've built up a real community there."

Niall and Aidan Monks with the best North West baker awardNiall and Aidan Monks with the best North West baker award (Image: Lovingly Artisan)

Lovingly Artisan is a sourdough bakery which specialises in heritage grains which are varieties of wheat, rye, barley and oats.

Mr Monks, who co-owns the bakery with his wife, Catherine, said that they supply all over the North West and that their mantra is "putting bread back at the centre of the table".

This is not the first time Lovingly Artisan has won this award, and it has won other awards in the past, including being the holders of Best Artisan Bakery, as voted by artisan bakers, while Aidan won Best Baker in the UK at the 2019 Baker Industry Awards.

Lovingly Artisan specialises in sourdough bakes made from heritage grainsLovingly Artisan specialises in sourdough bakes made from heritage grains (Image: Lovingly Artisan)

Lovingly Artisan opened up in Altrincham when they were asked to by the owners of the market, and have loved operating there ever since, having a stand on Central Way and an indoor store at the market.

Mr Monks said: "We were asked by the owners of Altrincham Market if we'd like to open up.

"The market has had such a positive effect on the town. Being a bakery, it's really great because you get that regular footfall."

Lovingly Artisan's stall on Central WayLovingly Artisan's stall on Central Way (Image: Google Maps)

Not content despite all their success, Lovingly Artisan is now looking to take the next step, by growing its own grains and milling its own flour.

To do so, the bakery has made an agreement with a farm Mr Monks and his wife are bringing their son, Niall, on board to be the miller.