TEENAGER Holly Bale is aiming for the perfect bake in a high temperature challenge that could land her a place in the national final of a cookery contest.

The 14-year-old West Somerset College student beat off culinary competition from six other youngsters to top the regional round of The BIG School Cake Challenge.

And with a place now secured in the semi-final next Friday (February 28), Holly could soon be showing off her talents to the nation's queen of baking Mary Berry in the final, which will take place at the BIG Cake Show in Exeter at the end of March.

The young bakers were given the task of creating an original, extravagant bake with a budget of just £5.

Holly's creation was a chocolate, beetroot and hazelnut cupcake filled with Nutella, which she named Nutty-ella.

Holly was nominated for the regional final, which took place in Bristol, by her food technology teacher Amanda Quartley, who was suitably impressed with her bake-off entry.

"Holly took on the challenge of creating an extraordinary and extravagant sweet baked product with maturity and creativity," she said.

"Her cupcakes were imaginative and skilful and I hope this will see her through to meet Mary Berry.

"West Somerset College is very proud to have such a talented student."

And keen baker Holly (pictured) was delighted with her success: "Cooking and baking have both been a passion in my family," she said.

"I used to bake a lot with my grandma when I was little and I still do now.

"I love baking and this competition is a fantastic opportunity to show off my baking skills."

The young bakers' creations came under the scrutiny of a judging panel which included former Great British Bake Off contestant Glenn Cosby, celebrity chef Peter Gorton and Joe Mann, South West branch co-ordinator and food technology teacher.

The final will be attended by a host of celebrity cooks, including Mary Berry and her co-host on BBC's Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood.

Mel Edwards, from The BIG Cake Show, said event organisers were delighted so many schools and students had entered the challenge.

"We are astonished by the level of talent demonstrated in the entries and we cannot wait to see who will go through the final at the show," she said.

"It was designed to inspire a generation throughout the South West to get creative with their baking and we think it has certainly done that."

Photo: Steve Guscott