STAFF at the Gazette and Herald put their baking skills to the test when they produced a fantastic array of treats for a Bake Off Challenge today (Friday) in aid of Julia's House, the charity which is benefiting from the paper's 200th anniversary appeal.

Like staff in many offices, the Gazette's team of reporters and advertising reps are keen on their cake - and chocolate figured heavily in many recipes.

The challenge was to bake 12 items, aiming to get them all identical just like on the top TV show.

Chris Moore, managing director, Newsquest (Oxfordshire and Wiltshire) Ltd, was drafted in to judge, and found himself facing tasting a dozen plates of cakes.

"The entries were all amazing, I would never have suspected there was such baking talent among the staff," he said. "It's great we have raised some cash for Julia's House and had a lot of fun in the process."

Star baker was the Gazette's editorial administrator Sue Cockrem, whose Tiramisu Piccolini were pronounced 'magnificent'.

She went home with Mary Berry's Christmas cookbook and a festive apron.

Second place went to Malmesbury, Calne and Corsham reporter Jessica Wells, who made chocolate orange cheesecake brownies, and third place went to a joint entry by advertising department members Clair Gallie and Louis Grey, whose Christmas party cupcakes were arranged in true Bake Off showstopper fashion.

Customers at the Gazette's offices in Trowbridge were invited to sample the entries in return for a donation to Julia's House.