FOOD writer and 'Great British Bake-Off' judge Mary Berry praised the achievements of youngsters from two West Somerset schools at a conference attended by more than 300 Rotarians from Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Four students from the West Somerset College and Minehead Middle attended the Rotary district event near Cirencester, which took 'The Spirit of Youth' as its theme.

And not only were they mentioned by the nation's favourite baker in her keynote speech, they also had the chance to meet her.

The West Somerset students included Ed Griffin, president of the Minehead Interact Club, which is based at the college and which won the Rotary Citizen of the Year 2013 title for its work with the Buhemba School in Uganda.

Also recognised was Abi Smith, not only for her charity work - she raised more than £1,000 for Breast Cancer Research - but also for winning Rotary District Young Chef champion 2013.

Joseph Lintern, meanwhile, was a winner in several Rotary competitions while he was at Minehead Middle taking the titles of Rotary Youth Speaks, Young Technologist and Young Musician to become Competitor of the Year 2013.

And Isaac Reeson from the college took the 2012 Rotary District Young Photographer title.

"Mary was very impressed with all the students and mentioned them in her keynote address to the conference," said a Rotary spokesman.

They were also asked up on stage to be interviewed by local Rotarians Delia Paveling, president of the Rotary Club of Minehead and the Quantocks, and Roger Andrews.

Rotary district governor Brian Kirkup said: "These students truly reflect the theme of our conference - The Spirit of Youth."

Abi Smith is pictured with Mary Berry.