Chatburn raspberry buns are some of best in North

Mandy Paul, who runs Hudson's Ices in Chatburn with her husband Mark, was flabbergasted when her home-made buns were praised in The Guardian newspaper.

"The first thing I knew of this was when a woman from Newcastle came into the shop asking for my raspberry buns," said Mandy (42). "I was totally gobsmacked when she went on to tell me about the article."

Entitled "10 cracking bakers in the North of England", the article by Harry Pearson describes his quest to find bakers selling traditional local delicacies.

"Last summer I was researching a book about cricket in the North of England," Harry explained.

"My plan was that I would turn up in small towns and villages such as Bacup, Settle or Kirkheaton, buy some delicacies from the nearest baker and go and watch a match."

After stumbling across Hudson's, he was so bowled over by Mandy's buns he listed them in his top 10 along with such esteemed establishments as Betty's Tearooms in Harrogate.

"I got the recipe for the buns from a friend 15 years ago," said Mandy, whose 16-year-old daughter Larna helps with the baking.

"I now run out of them as fast I make them, and they're a real hit with the local school children."