VOTING for this year's Scottish Baker of the Year Competition is only open until Wednesday, March 8 and with thousands of votes cast already, time is running out to help make your local baker a champ.

Fronted by singing sensation Michelle McManus with a little help from her friends Grado and STV's David Farrell and Jennifer Reoch, the competition is the only one of its kind looking to crown the best baker in the land, as voted for by its customers.

Log on to www.scottishbakers.org/vote2017 – voting automatically enters you into a draw to win one of 6 Apple Watches.

The Scottish Baker of the Year Awards are the brainchild of Scottish Bakers, the Trade Association for bakers in Scotland who decided to search for the best baker in the land in 2012.

Now in its sixth year, the competition celebrates our love of a tasty treat from our local baker and aims to crown just one hard working bakery Scottish Baker of the Year.

“With thousands upon thousands of pies, scones, loaves, savoury items, morning rolls, individual cakes and biscuits sold in Scotland every day, our bakers work hard to keep us all going” says Scottish Bakers’ Alan Clarke.

“This competition is based on real votes from real customers so we urge customers to vote for their best bites, every vote really does count – your local baker could take the title!”

Voting for this year’s Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2017 started on Thursday, February 23 and voting will run through to tomorrow (Wednesday).

Winners will be announced at the Scottish Bakers national conference on May 5 and 6 at the Crowne Plaza, Glasgow.