AN avid baker is whisking herself off to the finals of a business award ceremony.

Davina Steel runs her own bakery in Halstead and produces a range of gluten-free baking kits for the retail sector.

She been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best New Business category at the Best Business Women Awards.

The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise the achievements of women across a wide range of business categories throughout the UK.

Davina said: “I am incredibly honoured to be named as a finalist.

“My business has grown incredibly in the last few years and that’s down to a lot of hard work and perseverance.

“I believe in the gluten-free baking sector and what we are bringing to the market and am pleased that hard work is now being recognised.”

The business has won several awards since 2014 including three World Bread Awards in the gluten-free category.

Awards organiser Debbie Gilbert said: “Well over 80 per cent of start-ups fail in the first three years and all our finalists are all shining examples of entrepreneurs who have proved their success to our judges.”

The awards ceremony will be held on October 11 at the Tower Hotel in London.