CAROLE Johnston is doing her best to have her cake and eat it - and she is hoping it will earn her a living.

She has launched her business, 4afters, to provide individual cakes for individual occasions.

Miss Johnston, of Bagby, Thirsk, made her debut at the Harrogate Spring Brides exhibition and can provide a bride with a uniquely personal cake for her wedding day.

Her speciality is simple, but stunning, multi-tiered stands of fairy cakes and any colour scheme, flavour or design can be created. Wedding favours to co-ordinate with the main cake, or hand-made fudge and chocolates, can also be produced for the big day.

Dinner party desserts also form part of Miss Johnston's varied range.

She started the company when a back problem prevented her form carrying on her original career as a chartered surveyor. Always a baking devotee, she has managed to combine something she really loves with a new career for herself.

Her commissions so far include a cake for a Sunderland football club fan, decorated in the appropriate strip, and Valentine's Day and red nose day cakes.

If customers come up with the idea, she will come up with the cakes - and deliver them to the door.