A GREAT British Bake Off contestant from Poole took first place in the technical round in the first episode of the new series of the hit show.

The first episode aired on Channel 4 on Tuesday evening and saw retired midwife Maggie sail through the challenges.

Maggie, 70, is the oldest competitor in the programme this year and she specialises in traditional bakes.

In the technical round, they were tested with malt loaf, a bake set by Prue Leith who admitted it was a “really old fashioned recipe, and those of you who are under 35 may never have heard of it” but assured, “don’t panic, just read the recipe”.

Some of the contestants turned to Maggie for advice on what a malt loaf was, but it seems experience was on her side as she voted number one in the challenge, which is judged blind.

Prue Leith told her: “I won’t say you’re anything like as old as me but you’re getting a little bit older than some of these (contestants), and you can make the perfect malt loaf, well done.”

Maggie proved a hit on social media with people comparing her to judge Prue Leith, one Twitter user said: ""Maggie could be my favourite contestant on bake off ever #GBBO."

Contestant Tom from Kent was the first to leave the series after failing to impress the judges,

Maggie's malt loaf secured her place in the next episode which will air next Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.