A SPECIALIST cake decorator from Astley Bridge has been recognised yet again by a national industry award.

Nicola Jeszke, owner and manager of Celebration Cakes, was named runner-up for the Celebration Cake Maker of the Year Award at a ceremony in London last week run by British Baker magazine.

She received her award from TV presenter and newsreader Fiona Bruce.

Nicola has previously won Cake Confectioner of the Year at the Baking Industry Awards in 2001 and 2002.

There were more than 150 entries for the award, sponsored by ingredients business Napier Brown Foods, which owns the Whitworths range of baking products.

Nicola's shop supplies other bakeries but most of her work is gained by recommendation and, increasingly through the company's website.

She said: "We have taken orders from as far afield as Wales and Huddersfield, but the majority of our orders are from the North-west."

Nicola followed her father into the trade, choosing cakes as her speciality.

She wants to take a degree in sculpting to improve her skills.

Peter Hough, of Napier Brown Foods, said: "All the judges were really impressed with the quality of Nicola's work. She personalises every cake for the customer and is extremely creative."