THE Great British Bake Off has inspired yet another competition, as Cullompton has caught the baking bug.

The first Great Cullompton Baking competition is challenging the locals to test their prowess as part of the Cullompton Food and Drink Festival.

There will be three categories: cakes, pies and the 'showstopper' category, in keeping with the tradition of the BBC programme.

Janet Sutton Webb who chairs Hug Cullompton, the community group which is organising the competition, said: "The Culm Valley has a great rural heritage which encompasses all stages of food production from farm to plate.

"This competition gives local people the opportunity to celebrate that heritage as well as showing off their culinary talents and participating in the festival.

"The competition is intended to be fun, with the main prize being the accolade of Cullompton’s Star Baker. Anyone can enter, as long as they are not a professional cook."

The theme of the competition is Autumn Fruits, and it is set to take place on October 10, with entries being accepted until September 30.

To enter, competitors must fill in a form and returning it to Hug Cullompton.

Entries must be delivered to the Community Centre on the morning of the competition, where they will be on public display as part of the Food & Drink Festival.

Judging will then take place live at 1pm, with the winners being announced at approximately 1.30pm.

Leaflets with full competition rules and entry forms are available from Hug Cullompton at the Hug Hub or Top to Tail dog grooming parlour at 29 High Street; or from the Town Hall, Bakehouse, Hayridge or Community Centre, all in Cullompton.