Luton-born woman Nadiya competes in new series of the Great British Bake Off

A 30-YEAR-OLD woman born in Luton is one of 12 contestants vying to win the newest series of the Great British Bake Off (GBBO).

Nadiya, whose family is originally from Bangladesh, joins 12 new bakers trying to impress the judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.

Although she now lives in Leeds with her husband and three children, Nadiya learnt her trade in Luton after being encouraged by a home economics teacher.

She is said to have temporarily suspended her career in order to support her family but is now keen to ‘have her own adventure and make them proud’.

The first episode airs on August 5 at 8pm and the new contestants will have to make a madeira cake before moving on Mary’s frosted walnut cake and then finishing with a black forest gateau on day two.

Last year’s GBBO final on BBC One drew in 12.3 million viewers, more than the 12.1 million who tuned in to watch the World Cup final.