A BIOMEDICAL scientist turned baker has said business is booming after being enlisted to make a birthday cake for a North-East celebrity.

Amanda Heaviside, who runs Fairy Hill Cakes Ferryhill, contacted Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt on Instagram in the hope of gaining her support.

The 41-year-old was delighted when the I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! winner got back to ask her to make a cake for her 28th birthday.

Mrs Heaviside said: "It's been amazing. I've got about a thousand more followers on Instagram since making the cake.

"Scarlett absolutely loved it and was really happy with the design.

"I wanted to make it special for her, so I incorporated her looks into the design. I love creating cakes as there's so much scope to come up with and create something truly unique."

Mrs Heaviside sent Bishop Auckland-based Scarlett a picture of a dog birthday cake she made as part of her portfolio.

She was so impressed she asked for her own custom-made unicorn cake.

The baker said: "Scarlett asked for a unicorn which had rainbow sponge inside. I "Scarlettified" it by adding that gorgeous pout, the milk chocolate ganache brown hair and an extra tier on the bottom which I painted to resemble the shirt she wore on The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice show a few weeks back.

"She also told me she loves leopard and zebra print and flamingos, so I gave it leopard print face paint and topped it off with a pretty cupcake with a flamingo on top. I went tropical with the flowers as she's off to the jungle soon."

Mrs Heaviside said she's had an increase in orders since making the cake and was excited to see the business growing.

It comes at the same time as the baker is hoping to put down firm roots for the business in Ferryhill.

Mrs Heaviside is seeking planning permission to run the business from a bungalow owned by her parents.

The former NHS worker began baking as a child with her grandmother and was inspired to cook by her father.

She baked as a hobby alongside her full-time job but made her passion a full-time career when she turned 40 and realised "it was now or never".

Mrs Heaviside is entering couples who buy a wedding cake in 2018 and 2019 into a competition draw, giving them the chance to receive their wedding cake for free.

The business only sees customers by appointment and would encourage anyone seeking to order a custom cake to call 07875552588 or visit fairyhillcakes.co.uk

Or find the business on Facebook @fairyhillcakes