AN award-winning bakery in Barrow has unveiled plans to expand with additional premises and a cafe.

Peace and Loaf, based at the top of Dalton Road by the market entrance, has submitted a planning application to change the use of premises at Trinity Enterprise Centre in Ironworks Road.

Run by Lucas Hogg and Caroline Davis, the bakery has become a firm favourite since it was launched four years ago.

Last June the business won the Best Shop title in the BBC Food and Farming Awards 2018.

It has also been awarded prizes from the World Bread Awards, Great Taste Awards and Cumbria Life.

The bakery currently opens from Wednesday to Saturday but the new, bigger premises would allow them to expand opening hours to six days a week from 9am until 5pm.

The plans reveal Peace and Loaf would also convert a business vehicle to allow them to sell fresh produce from the van near to Barrow Market.

Peace and Loaf has come a long way since the couple were forced to consider downsizing amid rising business rates.

However they were able to rise to the challenge thanks to a crowdfunding campaign and are now one of Barrow's most popular independent retailers.

In their application they said: "If this application is successful it will mean we can quadruple our production space and create a cafe to allow people to enjoy what we produce in-house, probably creating more jobs instantly.

"We are very limited in our current property and having won multiple awards we have quickly outgrown it."

The application reveals the new premises would feature a 1,000 square foot open plan space, allowing for bulk deliveries of flour, and better utilities access which would accommodate larger ovens.

The location of the proposed new premises would allow Peace and Loaf to tap into the bustling business centre with a growing number of tenants.

They would also be ideally located to offer lunchtime deals to students from the nearby Furness College.

The applicants argued there are no suitable similar premises available in the town centre because of high rents and business rates with many needing significant investment to refurbish.

Peace and Loaf's product range includes sourdough breads, cakes, baked goods, pastries, savouries, lunches, soups, sandwiches, pies, pizzas and drinks.