A KENDAL woman won top prize in a baking competition to mark a food hall’s 25th anniversary.

Louise Chaplow’s stunning creation was of three crates full of vegetables – all made out of cake. She won a trophy, £250 in cash and will now make the official anniversary cake for Country Harvest, Ingleton, in October.

Bakers from across the region took part in Country Harvest’s 25-cake challenge which was judged by former Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle alongside food hall owners Mike Clark and Gay Penn.

The event was held in a marquee in the grounds of Country Harvest and Nancy said there were certain similarities between the event and the TV series she won in 2014.

After the winners were announced, Nancy went on to give a demonstration to 100 people and shared her expertise making pastry and an open fruit tart.

“It was such a fabulous event and I sympathise with Mary Berry, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood as finding just one winner from such a talented line-up was so hard!" said Mr Clark. "I was absolutely bowled over by the stunning cakes and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who baked a cake and all those who attended the event.

"The place was buzzing and it was a wonderful way to mark Country Harvest’s 25th anniversary."

The competition runner-up was Ruth Parker, of Bentham.