STAFF at West Somerset Council grabbed their aprons and mixing bowls to cook up a storm - and raise a whopping £500 - in aid of today's (Friday) Comic Relief appeal.

On Wednesday, workers were challenged to enter their best chocolate biscuits, cup cakes and scones into a competition to find the very best tempting treats.

There was also a class for favourite family recipes, with all the entries judged by independent experts, local residents Shirley Dee, Mavis Collinson and Mary Parsons.

And with signed photos of culinary heroes Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood up for grabs for the winners of each class, the competition was fierce!

But the judges were undeterred and munched their way through a staggering 60 entries, including cakes and pastries made by members of Somerset County Council's social services staff who share the district council's offices in Williton.

In the end the winners were (in 1, 2, 3 order): six chocolate biscuits - Karen Penfold, Gracie Legg, Esther Legg; six birthday themed cupcakes - Esther Legg, The Timms Family, Jayne Hall; six scones sweet or savoury - Karen Penfold, Kim Batchelor, Karen Penfold; open class for favourite family recipes - Ken Taylor, Kim Batchelor, Alex Bullock.

After the competition, the cakes and treats were sold in aid of the appeal, raising £250 for Comic Relief.

That figure was then matched by the local branch of the trade union Unison, bringing the grand total to £500.

The council's chief executive Adrian Dyer said he was proud his staff had made such a huge effort for a good cause, despite the huge pressures facing both them and the council.

He said: "I was amazed at the amount of hard work that had obviously gone into producing such a large number of high quality cakes and biscuits.

"Considering the uncertain future that the council is facing it is a testament to the attitude and togetherness of the staff that they can all pull together for such a worthwhile cause."

Photo: Steve Guscott