Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

Step 2

Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Add the eggs, mashed bananas, buttermilk and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture and mix well. Fold in the flour mixture.

Step 5

Grease a 20cm x 12.5cm/8in x 5in loaf tin (2lb) and pour the cake mixture into the tin.

Step 6

Transfer to the oven and bake for about an hour, or until well-risen and golden-brown.

Step 7

Remove from the oven and cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving.