Cake lovers in Malmesbury met to raise dough for Cancer Research UK and made more than £1,300.

Malmesbury Cake Society was founded by 29-year-old Jess Hancock in August last year after her grandmother was diagnosed as suffering from cancer.

Each month, baking enthusiasts from across the area meet to exchange sweet treats and raise money for the charity.

In December, a Christmas event was held at the Kings Arms Hotel with a baking demonstration, auction and raffle.

Mrs Hancock said: “It was fantastic, really great. There were 72 members, a few familiar faces and some new ones.

“We raised a total of £1,364.72 which was brilliant.

“Lee Bamforth, head pastry chef at Whatley Manor, did a live baking demonstration showing us how to make choux pastry.

“Neill Saint from Hilditch Auctioneers did the live auction and raffle with brilliant prizes donated from local shops. The room was bustling.”

Malmesbury Cake Society has raised £2,049.22 to date, smashing its initial target of £800.

Mrs Hancock said: “I’m completely blown away. “There’s now a new target of getting the total to £5,000 by the end of December 2013.

“We now have monthly live baking demonstrations so people can learn and get involved.

“We’re also going to have an Easter extravaganza and another Christmas spectacular.”

The next Malmesbury Cake Society meeting takes place on February 4 at the Kings Arms Hotel, High Street, at 7.30pm. The theme is chocolate cakes with a demonstration of chocolate truffle making by Natalie Kenyon, who has a cake company Centrepiece Cake Design.

Entrance is £4.50, with all proceeds going to Cancer Research UK. Cancer Research UK funds over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK who work to find ways to beat cancer.