Crowds pour in to see sugar models

The town's branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild staged its annual open day in aid of charity.

The well-attended event gave them the chance to marvel at the intricate and delicately formed items on show.

Centrepiece of the displays was the branch's silver award-winning table from this year's regional competition.

Depicting a Victorian garden, the 6ft long tableau contained a summerhouse, a resting gardener and cat, a wheelbarrow and a roller among its host of features.

All of them were formed out of sugar. Even the wisteria, the brickwork and the wrought iron-like gates were created from the food.

Branch chairman Rachel Price said: 'The standard is very, very high at the exhibition.

'Sugarcraft is all about being creative and using your imagination.

'We do make cakes as well to give other people enjoyment when they have occasions such as birthdays and weddings.'

The branch of some 40 members was joined by those from Chichester and Portsmouth for the event in St Wilfrid's Church Hall.

The day, the twelfth to be held, began with a 100 donation to Jane Stock from Breast Cancer Care. MP Nick Gibb presented the money.

It was the proceeds from the sales of a cookbook produced by the branch.

The takings from the open day will also be presented to the charity at a later date.

Last year's occasion raised 350 for Macmillan cancer nurses.