A BOLTON pastor will be hoping to cook up a storm on national television tonight as a contestant on The Great British Bake Off.

The popular baking show returns to the nation’s homes and this year Rev Lee Banfield, from Cornerstone Church, in Lord’s Stile Lane, Bromley Cross, will be taking to the bake off tent.

The father-of-two started baking in 1984 when he injured his back playing cricket with his young son.

He had to take time off work and found that baking was a welcome way to fill his days, and he has not stopped since.

The grandfather-of-four says he was very proud when his grandson took a photo of a cake he had made to send to his girlfriend.

Lee likes traditional flavours — cherry, hazelnut, vanilla and chocolate — and admits he does not tend to veer too far from the norm but does enjoy a taste of the exotic every now and again.

The Great British Bake Off is on BBC One tonight at 8pm.