A BAKERY is celebrating after getting the seal of approval from some of the most trusted taste testers in the country, famed for their baking skills – the WI.

Thomas the Baker, which has its central bakery in Helmsley, put its Party Platters to the test with more than 70 guests and members of the Appleton-le-Moors Women’s Institute giving their feedback.

The platters include a range of savoury and sweet items, such as sandwiches, sausage and savoury rolls, fruit tarts and profiteroles.

The tastings took place at a WI event which saw £1,000 raised for St Catherine’s Hospice and 100 per cent of the respondents said they would buy the party platters themselves for a suitable occasion.

An impressed 97 per cent of the WI members said they could tell the pastries and sandwiches had been baked fresh that day

Simon Thomas of Thomas the Baker, said: “WI events are always famous for their buffets and their bakes.

"So, we thought who better to really put us to the test and give us some honest feedback? We were delighted with how well received the platters were and we received lots of useful comments to help us refine what we offer even further."