Southampton resident Hannah Pinchin has become a finalist in the Great Vegan Bake-Off contest to find the best vegan baker in the UK.

Instead of baking their creations in front of the judges - as in the BBC's hit Great British Bake-Off - contestants submit a recipe and a video via their blog online. The finished products are judged on how appealing they look.

Contest organiser PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) chooses ten finalists, whose recipes are put on their website for people to vote on.

The 33-year-old, who runs the Hannah Banana Bakery from her home in Elgin Road, Freemantle, is down to the final ten bakers after impressing the judges with her banana split cake. Other creations to make the final round were a chocolate and cherry cake, a walnut and coffee tartelette and mint and lime bread.

The Hannah Banana Bakery makes vegan products, which means no eggs, no dairy, honey or anything from an animal.

Hannah, who won the contest last year, said: “I’m vegan so I set it up to provide cruelty free cakes but I have many customers with allergies or who avoid eggs due to religious reasons.”

“I believe very strongly in being vegan, which is why I started my business, but after hearing so many stories from people with allergies and about the effect on their children I’m very passionate about making sure no one goes without treats.”

“I thought I should try and defend my title this year,” she said.

“It’s not about winning, just about showing people that veganism doesn’t mean going without tasty treats,” Hannah added.

Voting runs from now until September 7. To vote visit PETA.org.uk.