A school has been keeping its students and their families busy with a virtual baking competition.

Energy Coast UTC in Workington organised a virtual Bake Off competition for staff, students and their families with three categories – Best Family Bake, Best Staff Bake and Best Expectation versus Reality Bake.

A spokesman for the school said: “The idea for a virtual Bake Off was inspired by other local organisations such as Burnetts running similar baking competition, where entries are judged by a photograph submission of the bake rather than a taste test.

“The UTC normally holds a very popular cake day every week for staff, where a different member of staff bakes each week, and numerous fundraising cake sales throughout the year so we were confident a virtual Bake Off was something our staff, students and their families would be interested in.

“We also thought it was something fun for everyone to get involved in in these tough times.”

The school received about 20 entries ranging from hot cross buns to rainbow sponge cake, with director of learning Ian Lindner in charge of the judging.

Year 10 student Edward’s white loaf was the Best Family Bake winner, with Mr Lindner saying the loaf was “a loaf of perfectly executed technique”.

There were joint winners for the Best Staff Bake – Ms Tingle’s hot cross buns and Mr Richardson’s chocolate muffins. The judge said both deserved the accolade for tackling “technically challenging bakes”.

The winner of the Best Expectation vs Reality was Year 10 student Amber with her school sponge sprinkle cake. Mr Lindner said: “The winner in this category was so obvious that it was though a volcano had exploded or rather imploded. Cover it with icing and it will be just fine - too right.”