A DARWEN oven company is helping bakeries across the world combat rising fuel costs.

Bakewell Ovens, based in Railway Road, is the only manufacturer of a wood pellet-fuelled rack oven. The ovens have integral burners that produce low amounts of carbon dioxide.

Bakewell’s Peter Jones said: “Our wood pellet- fuelled rack oven is in great demand and we have recently started a collaboration with the Eco Hephaestus Company, in Greece, to market our range of wood pellet ovens.

“More and more bakeries are looking to use renewable energy to save costs and become more energy efficient,” he added.

The business has recently sold an oven to the Gloucestershire-based award-winning Authentic Bread Company.

Owner Alan Davis said he can cook bread more quickly and is expecting lower energy bills.