A farmer's daughter from Norfolk is one of 12 bakers vying to be named star baker on the latest series of The Great British Bake Off.

Eastern Daily Press: Bakers left to right: Val, Rav, Tom, Kate, Lee, Candice, Benjamina, Michael, Selasi, Andrew, Jane & Louise. Photographer: Mark BourdillonBakers left to right: Val, Rav, Tom, Kate, Lee, Candice, Benjamina, Michael, Selasi, Andrew, Jane & Louise. Photographer: Mark Bourdillon (Image: WARNING: Use of this copyright image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture Service (BBC Pictures) a...)

Kate Barmby, 37, of Brooke, will be hoping to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood with her cakes and pastries – but it is her sugar craft that could see her go far in the series after claiming it was her particular strength.

The mother-of-two works as a nurse on an acute respiratory ward at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and could gain an edge in the competition by bringing in seasonal fruits and produce gathered from her parents' farm.

The Brownies leader said she thrived on nurturing others and working as a nurse, so she could be a comforting figure in the tent.

Her rivals in the famous bake-off tent, where Nadiya Hussain baked her way to glory in last year's competition, include a pastor and aerospace engineer.

But Mary Berry revealed that the 2016 contestants didn't bond immediately, as in previous years.

She said: 'They know the standard that it is, which is now pretty high. I think they were slower to bond this year than they were in the past.'

And entering the Bake Off tent was particularly nerve-wracking for some of the bakers because of last year's winner.

'Nadiya went to a whole new level, and because of that I think it put the pressure on them more, and I think we felt that in the tents as well,' Paul Hollywood said.

'But actually they came out tops. They started quite nervously but once they settled down they got into it. Then the baking started to flow and the standard got really, really good.'

Also heading to the tent is this year's youngest contestant, Michael, a 20-year-old from London who is studying politics and economics in Durham.

The student enjoys making grand cakes, drawing inspiration from his Cypriot heritage to create Greek pastries.

The teaching profession will be well-represented, with 23-year-old teaching assistant Benjamina, 66-year-old former primary school head teacher Val, and 31-year-old secondary school PE teacher Candice all showing off their baking skills.

Bake Off presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins will return for more innuendo-laden patter with the first episode airing on August 24 on BBC One at 8pm.

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