Sue Lord, from Chippenham, bakes the best bread in Britain and her talents have won her a brand new Mini.

Mrs Lord, of Hungerdown Lane, scooped the top award in the final of the first national competition to find the best loaf baked in an automated breadmaker.

The competition was organised by Cumbrian millers, Carrs Flour Mills, and the final took place on Saturday.

Mrs Lord, 54, a receptionist for CodaSciSys, clinched first prize, a Mini One, when she impressed the four judges with her perfect white loaf.

She travelled to London for the finals, at the Marriott County Hall Hotel at Westminster.

Celebrity chef Nick Nairn handed over the keys to her new car after the gala dinner.

"I never believed for a moment that I would win the competition," Mrs Lord said.

"My nerves turned into jelly I am absolutely overwhelmed."

Mrs Lord's husband, Michael, drove the car home from London as Mrs Lord admitted she was still in a state of shock. But she says she has already fallen in love with her new car. "It's lovely," she said. "It's a dream to drive."

Mrs Lord, who has been making her own bread for more than two years, will also get a year's supply of Carrs Breadmaker flour.

Mr Nairn, who led the judging, said: "Bread-making is becoming something of a national obsession, evidenced by the high standard of bread presented."