DOZENS of people queued around the block as a much-loved bakery opened its doors to eager hot cross bun lovers.

In what has become somewhat of an annual tradition on Good Friday, people from across the city lined Ditchling Road to get a taste of Ravens Bakery's famous buns.

The bakery sells thousands of buns every year with customers waiting patiently for more than an hour to get their hands on the sweet treats that could be smelt from the road.

Director Maggie Raven opened the shop at 7.30am but told The Argus people had began queuing an hour before.

While working the till she said the bakery began making the mix at midnight: "I haven't had time to calculate how many buns we have made this year.

The Argus: Maggie Raven with a batch of hot cross buns Maggie Raven with a batch of hot cross buns

"We appreciate the customers coming every year to support us. People come from all around from places like Worthing, Eastbourne and London.

"They are the best. They are fresh and you can smell them for miles.

"At 5am, they were already in the shop. They started making the mix at midnight.

"I opened at 7.30am but some people were already queuing at 6.30am. I still order for tomorrow as well!"

The recipe that makes the buns so popular is a closely guarded secret that sees people return year after year.

Among the eager customers was John Caddle, who had been waiting for over an hour to get his hands on some of the hot cross buns.

The Argus: John Caddle said he had been waiting over an hour for the treats John Caddle said he had been waiting over an hour for the treats

He said: "I live around the corner so I come fairly regularly anyway but I have come for the hot cross buns.

"Ravens is special anyway because it is a very good and slightly above the normal quality of trational baking.

"Their hot cross buns are quite a cut above the rest. They are consistent every year.

"The hot cross buns are unique and I know some people have come quite a distance to get them. It has a pull - there is no doubt about it.

"I plan on getting 10. We actually have a few in the freezer but they are not quite as good as when they are fresh."

Thyone Outram was one of the unlucky few at the back of the queue who has come almost every year for the last 12 years.

The Argus: Thyone Outram listened to an audiobook while she waited Thyone Outram listened to an audiobook while she waited

She said: "They are really nice hot cross buns - they are really rich and spicey.

"Once you have done it one year you have to keep coming.

"You know when you come there will be a queue and you will wait.

"I have done it seven times in the last 12 years.

"I will be trying to buy eight as I have got friends coming over specially to eat them."

In years passed, Ravens sold between three and four thousand hot cross buns by midday on Good Friday.