A BOLTON baker has made it to the final of the national Cake Decorator of the Year competition. Nicola Jeszke, owner of Celebration Cakes on Blackburn Road, Bolton, has battled her way to a place among the last three competitors of the contest. And next month she is set to travel to London's Grosvenor Hotel in a bid to walk off with the big prize.

The 28-year-old from Sharples has been cake decorating since she was a child and she recently completed a three-year training course at Bolton College which earned her a catering diploma.

In the last year she has seen her business grow, supplying other shops in the region with her cakes.

Miss Jeszke said: "It's the first time I've entered the competition and I didn't think I'd get into the last three.

When you think some people have been in the business for decades and haven't won anything, I think it's an achievement to get this far."

A BOLTON baker has made it to the "Oscars" of the bread baking world.

David Smart of Greenhalgh's bakery in Lostock is one of three national finalists in the Baking Industry Awards 2000, and is hoping to win the title of Independent Bread Business of the Year.

The winner will be announced at a star studded gala awards evening at London's Grosvenor House on September 26, and the all expenses paid trip will include top accommodation in a West End Hotel.

Garry Parker, Editor of British Baker Magazine says: "The awards are highly sought after and David has had to beat off stiff competition from leading bakers throughout the UK."