MICHAEL Gove could soon be sampling a village bakery's tasty treats after it was shortlisted for a regional award.

Blake’s Kitchen in Clanfield, near Witney, is a South East finalist in the Countryside Alliance Awards, of which the Environment Secretary is a judge.

The family-run business has been nominated in the village shop/post office category after a meteoric rise since it started running as a bakery in 2014.

It is a popular village hub, while Blake's malt crunch sourdough and cinamon bun have won prizes at the World Bread Awards.

Bob and Martha Blake set up Clanfield Post Office and Shop in 1963 before it was taken over by their daughter Janet Dry, who has now passed it to her daughters Nicola Cooper and Natalie Wright.

Ms Wright, 41, said: “My mum has always been the centre of the village so it’s really nice to take some of the burden.

“We always want to say thank you for the support we receive from everyone.

“We’ve had so many amazing reviews, but we’re just pleased that people enjoy our food.

“It’s all made from scratch and we just want it to be as good as it can be.”

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Mrs Dry took over the business when Mrs Blake retired in 1985 and still works in the post office today, aged 67.

In November 2014, Mrs Cooper, now 36, returned to the village and left her job as a university lecturer and dietician to run the business alongside husband Daniel, adding the coffee shop and bakery.

The sisters grew up around the shop and Mrs Wright, joint bakery manager, joined one year ago.

She learnt to bake from scratch and soon resigned from her job as a software development manager.

Blake’s Kitchen now has ten staff and is a popular breakfast and lunch stop, with regulars coming from as far afield as Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Following its latest nomination, Mr Gove and other well-known judges, including ex-editor of Waitrose Food magazine William Sitwell and The Daily Telegraph’s Philip Johnston, could visit between March and May.

Blake’s Kitchen was shortlisted after the recommendation of one regular and Mrs Wright thanked their loyal customers.

She said: “We’ve had so much support from villagers, it’s been really overwhelming.

“At the start it was about having a go, but it’s very much a destination now.”