A charity bake-off event in St Neots on Saturday raised more than £500 or three local good causes.

The inaugural Mayor’s Charity Bake off, held at the Priory Centre, attracted 40 entries with Sarah Maplesden-Jenkins named as Star Baker and Isabelle Swindail winning Junior Star Baker.

Celebrity chef Damian Wawzyniak helped to judge the event and he was joined by Lord Vincent Constantine, Pauline Smith and town mayor, Councillor Derek Giles.

Cllr Giles said it was particularly encouraging to see so many entries in the junior section.

“The judges certainly had their work cut out tasting them all and some of the entries were amazing,” said Cllr Giles.

“I honestly don’t think there were any losers here, they were all winners. One entry in particular stood out for our judges and that was chocolate brownies, which were made by our junior star baker, Isabelle Swindail. Damian said they would not have been out of place in the adult section,” added Cllr Giles.

Sugar Daddys sponsored the two star baker prizes and the St Neots Tesco community team, Black Cat 107fm and the Priory Centre all made contributions to the event or held stalls.

The Winners

Professional Baker: Iona Wilson - lemon drizzle cake; Karen Rawlins - gluten free cake; Yasmin Sheik-Olal - decorated childrens’ cake.

Junior Baker: Sadie Swallow - Victoria sponge, decorated biscuits, lemon drizzle cake; Sophie Moule - decorated cup cakes; Isabelle Swindail - chocolate brownies.

Amateur Baker: Fiona Milne - Victoria sponge; Sara Bowler - decorated cup cakes; Owen Sainsbury - chocolate brownies; Michelle Francis - lemon drizzle cake; Sarah Maplesden-Jenkins - gluten free cake and fruit cake; Mylene Wolfe - decorated childrens’ cake.

The total amount of money raised at the event was £529 and it will be shared between Saints Boxing Club, Small Steps pre-school, in Eaton Socon, and the Steve van de Kerkhove cancer research project.