A PRIMARY schoolgirl has beaten competition from scores of aspiring bakers to win an accolade at a prestigious contest.

Lilly Lofthouse, of Sowerby, impressed judges at Cake International in Birmingham with her attention to detail and craft work on the My Little Pony-themed birthday cake, which she dedicated to her older sister, and received a silver award in the under-12 section.

It was the first time the Sowerby Community Primary School pupil had entered the three-day sugarcraft, cake decoration and baking contest, that attracts more than 25,000 visitors annually.

Her mother, Jennifer, who launched a celebration cakes business two years ago, said Lilly had baked with her for several years and had been determined to test the skills she had developed against the country's finest young bakers.

Mrs Lofthouse, who won a bronze award at the show for her cake to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, said she was thrilled Lilly's talent had been recognised.

She said: "I couldn't believe it when I heard she had got a silver, I am so proud of her.

"She is very good at art and hopefully she can go on and get an art degree and work with me when she is older."