AFTER nearly turning down the contract of a lifetime David Powell is reaping the rewards of years of hard work by being crowned baker of the year.

The Fareham-based baker has spent over a decade building up his business after nearly missing out on a contract to bake for coffee giants Starbucks.

David, of Funtley, near Fareham, said: "At the time I was just baking bread but someone from the Seattle Coffee Company approached me and asked if I had ever considered baking muffins.

"I almost said 'no' but after a trip to meet them I thought it was a good opportunity to branch out. They later became known as Starbucks so I am very relieved I said 'yes' in the end."

After opening his first bakery at Fort Wallington in the early 1990's David Powell's Bakeries has since spread to new premises on Newgate Lane where he specialises in gourmet breads and supplies some of the top supermarket chains. The decade brought nothing but success for David who can now add the national title of Baker of the Year to the range of accolades he has scooped.

But according to David the secret of his success has a very simple recipe.

He said: "This has all be down to pure hard work, that has been the key. When I bought the unit at Fort Wallington I literally lived there while I was setting up the business and my reputation, hard work and dedication is the reason I am doing so well today."