WORKERS at a North-East call centre have been taking part in a baking contest for charity.

Staff at npower in Rainton Bridge, near Houghton-le-Spring, took part in a Cake Off competition to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

It was judged Brendan Lynch, a finalist of the third series of The Great British Bake Off, with criteria based on taste, style and creativity.

The winning cake was baked by Chris Hogg, which was described as an “incredibly well thought through cake with a wonderful harmony between the exterior and the interior, and an excellent example of skilful baking.”

Mr Hogg said: “I’m absolutely amazed I won the challenge, as there were some amazing cakes on display .

“I tried to bake a cake that had all the flavours of which I love.”

The energy firm is running the Cake Off competition across its nine main sites to celebrate Macmillan’s 25th World’s Biggest Coffee Morning event.

All nine winners will attend an exclusive cookery masterclass with Mr Lynch in November, at the Seasoned Cookery School in South Derbyshire.

All money raised by employees will be matched pound for pound by the firm and will go towards funding Macmillan nursing hours..

Mr Lynch said: “I became aware of Macmillan about 15 years ago when my sister was diagnosed with cancer. I was so impressed with the professionalism and care, but not only with my sister, who was very dear to me, but also, the support they provided me and members of the family during extremely difficult times, something I will always be very grateful for.”