Bread making can offer therapeutic and social benefits to people who suffer mental health difficulties, according to a campaign group.

The Real Bread Campaign, part of the food and farming charity Sustain, said a survey of people living with mental health issue found 88% said bread making gave them a sense of achievement, 87% said baking made them feel happier, and 73% said it helped them feel calmer.

The campaign is backed by 2012 Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite who said: "As someone who has been offered a range of cognitive behavioural therapies, I would love to see more people who suffer from mental health issues get the chance to try baking to see how it could help."

Campaign coordinator Chris Young said "Only a fraction of the thousands of people who would benefit ever get the chance to do so."