This month's opening of an American-style kosher bakery in Prestwich will increase competition in a crowded market in north Manchester.

The Royal Bake is the third kosher bakery to launch in 18 months, making it nine in the area.

"It's gone bakery mad," observed Dovid Kaufman, manager of Haber's in Prestwich, a kosher shop stocking products from 18 bakeries from London to Gateshead.

"A lot of customers have noticed a sudden massive variety." But there was also evidence of increased home baking - "our yeast sales have doubled".

The bread boom is partially fuelled by the growing Charedi community.

For Canadian-born Royal Bake owner Favel Oppman, the business has him branching out from the property market. He sees "a great need" for the bakery, which he hopes to eventually expand to a coffee shop.

"I don't think the competition is going to be too tough," he said. "The town is growing on a weekly basis and we are offering something different to what there is, which should help."

Michael Bamberger, who started Baron's Bakery in Salford a year ago, has had to extend his business model to a pizza takeaway as competition has grown.

"The pizza has taken off more strongly than the bakery," he reported. The market would be "a little bit flooded until everyone finds their niche".

Andrew Addleman, who runs Salford's long-established Brackmans Bakery, believes quality will sort out the men from the boys.

"There's a lot of competition opening up around me. It's good for the community but makes the game a little harder. We have to make sure our quality is 100 per cent."

Prestwich shoppers appear to welcome the choice. Lippa Schwartz saw "more demand than supply because it's a growing community. Where can you sit down and get a coffee in Prestwich?"