A family-run business in Oswaldtwistle has been shortlisted by readers to be crowned 'Best Bakery' in this year’s Lancashire Telegraph competition.

A total of 10 bakeries will battle it out for your votes, with Martins Bakery one of the finalists. 

The bakery has been run by three generations for nearly 80 years and has been a constant fixture in the town.

Using only quality ingredients and making everything on the premises the business has become well-known for their steak and meat pies as well as their popular custard tarts.

Staff continue to use the same recipes the bakery was using in 1898 and say their products are just as popular.

Lyndon Martin, third generation owner of Martins on Union Road, said: “We are very pleased to be nominated and it is always nice to be recognised.

“There is a lot of tough competition in Lancashire, and we have got some top bakeries.”

They have also been excellent at adapting to changes throughout their history including the opening of the supermarkets and the closing of the factories in the area in the 20th century.

And more recently the challenges of the pandemic and cost of living crisis have put additional strains on Martins.

READ MORE: 10 finalists in the Lancashire Telegraph's 'Best Bakery 2024' competition revealed

Lyndon added: “We just try to keep going, it is hard it is a tough time and rising costs are difficult for everybody unfortunately.”

The team is made up of six employees, with two girls coming in on the weekend to help.

One employee has worked alongside Lyndon for 40 years and continues to work a couple of days a week.

Lyndon added: “There are no star members, they all try and they all put their weight and it is a team effort at the end of the day.”

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Lyndon’s grandfather starting at the bakery when it was originally called Smiths.

Since taking it on in 1945 Lyndon’s grandfather passed it on to his father who handed over the reins in 1990.

Readers will be able to vote for the ‘Best Bakery 2024’ by picking up copies of the Lancashire Telegraph between Monday, September 2 and Saturday, September 14, with the winner announced the week commencing September 23.