STAR bakers gathered from across the country for the announcement of awards sponsored by top jam makers.

The Tiptree World Bread Awards were held at St John’s Church in Hyde Park, London last week when Davina Steel of Great Dunnow was the winner of the gluten-free category for her garlic and rosemary focaccia.

Judges included former Great British Bake Off winner Frances Quinn and master baker Stephen Hallam.

He said: “The competition was higher and the field more numerous than ever.

“We had very demanding criteria for judging, and every loaf was judged anonymously.”

The awards were launched in January 2013 and seek to celebrate the very best of British baking.