MICHAEL Sisterson is certainly a rising star.

The baker has turned a gamble into success, and been named runner-up in the Shell Live Wire awards for the Tees Valley, a scheme which recognises the efforts of business people aged 16 to 30.

No-one was more surprised by the award than he was as his name was put forward as a candidate by Darlington Business Venture.

"I did not know much about the awards," said Mr Sisterson, aged 30, who runs Michael's the Bakers in Cockerton. "So I am surprised but delighted."

His big challenge came when he was made redundant as a bakery manager with Murray's. "I could have got a similar job working for someone else and that made setting up a business more of a gamble," he said. "I took a chance as I had always wanted to have my own shop."

Now, six months down the line, he has five employees and plans to open a new branch in Darlington centre.

Success has come through hard-work, long hours and a mixed approach to business as the bakery combines the traditional with the more commercial.

Mr Sisterson says his bread is popular thanks to a special dough made to an old-fashioned recipe.

Also offering confectionery and sandwiches, he has merged a traditional baker's shop with a modern take-away outlet, wholesale and outside catering.

Mr Sisterson redecorated, changed the look of the place and put in a bakery at the back. Months of work was involved. Even now, he starts work at 6am and finishes at up to 10.30, six days a week.

"I knew Cockerton had scope as there was a good take-away trade as well as call for the more traditional side of the business," he said.

Mr Sisterson, who plans to get married in November, received his Live Wire prize of £500 and a certificate at a ceremony in Stockton.