A DESSERT of Lake District apples wrapped in golden pastry has secured a place in a competition final for three school-aged bakers.

For the second year in a row, youngsters from St Martin and St Mary CE School in Windermere have made the final five of the McDougalls Young Baking Team of the Year event.

The contest is described as the "pinnacle" of the school catering calendar.

Nic Hastie, head cook at the primary school, told the Gazette: "Last year's team absolutely loved it, and to be crowned winners as well, it has really given a boost to the school."

The 2018 winners brought home a prize of £1,000 to spend on school cooking equipment after winning with their raspberry and white chocolate scones, made with local eggs.

This year's team consists of Lucian Brumbley, aged eight; Tallis Dodd, nine; and ten-year-old Harvey Higgins.

Working with Mrs Hastie, they came up with a recipe using McDougalls shortcrust pastry mix and local ingredients which, according to competition rules, had to be sourced from no more than 30 miles away.

The recipe features Windermere apples that have been peeled and cored, then crammed with blackcurrants home-grown on Mrs Hastie's mum's fruit and vegetable patch.

The dessert apples are wrapped in pastry, glazed with egg, baked, and served with a delicious helping of custard.

On the day of the finals - Thursday, July 11 - the trio of young bakers will recreate their dish before a live audience at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole hotel.

Mrs Hastie will be on hand to encourage the children and help with tasks such as coring the fruit.

The pupils have just an hour to prepare,bake and present their pudding from scratch.

"It's quite tense," said the school caterer.

"It's like a mini Bake Off, but McDougalls make it very relaxed for them."

Among the judges will be Professor Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist, who hopes to bring her experience of confidence building to the event.

Mrs Hastie said she had definitely seen the children's confidence grow over the course of time of them baking, and the school also encourages this with its weekly cookery club for pupils.