THE proof really was in the pudding for staff and pupils from a Barrow school who took part in an annual charity bake-off on Monday.

Teachers and children from St Bernard's Catholic High School took part in the event, which raised a total of £250 to be split between the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development and the North West Air Ambulance.

The competition was judged by Julie Andrews, a fundraiser for the Air Ambulance; Pearl Knight, a volunteer at CAFOD Lancaster; and headteacher Mary Page.

Year 7 pupil Lily Smith was the overall pupil winner, with her fabulous rainbow cake.

Other highly commended pupils were Summer Garret, Year 7; Scarlet Kenny, Year 8; Jack Kassel, Year 9; Eric Moscrop, Year 9; and Holly Backhouse, Year 9.

Among the cakes was a sponge baked by RE teacher Linda North with an air ambulance decoration and the winning teacher bake was a St Bernard's bake-off tent, made by Kerry O'Toole.

Mrs North, who organised the competition said: "We find it a brilliant way to raise money for two charities that we support."

Although there could only be a few winners, the standard was extremely high.

Mrs North said: "They were all really great and they spent lots of time and effort on it. They take lots of pride in it."

The winners each received a certificate as recognition of their baking prowess, but fundraising is the main incentive to take part. "They really do it just to help the charities," Mrs North explained.

The charities were chosen after the school asked for advice from local councils about which charities they should support.

CAFOD is a non-profit organisation which works with local church partners to help people in their own communities.

Bake-off judge Julie Andrews began fundraising for the North West Air Ambulance after her son was killed in a road accident in 2013, at the age of 19.

The air ambulance service in the North West provides emergency helicopter medical support across the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside.