A TV chef is looking for the cream of baking talent across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire to help cook up a storm for one of the west of Scotland’s most important charities.

Beatson Cancer Charity has teamed up with Scottish baking superstar, Helen Vass, to launch the Big Beatson Bake Off.

The champion of the popular BBC2 television programme “The Bake Off: Crème de la Crème” is calling on bakers to put their skills to the test to raise vital funds for patients and their families who are affected by cancer.

From bold bakers to budding cake tasters, the charity is encouraging everyone to get together this summer with friends, family or colleagues to hold a Big Beatson Bake Off.

Participants can serve up everything from buns and baps, cupcakes and cookies to flans and fruitcakes, to raise as much money as possible for The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and its related facilities.

All funds raised from the event will help the charity provide vital specialist staff posts including nursing, radiography, physics and research based staff.

It will also go towards enhanced medical equipment, innovative service developments, research projects and educational initiatives to support the 8000 new patients who attend the The Beatson and its related facilities each year.

Maisie Hamilton, community fundraising manager at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “The country has gone baking mad once again.

“We’re encouraging as many people as possible to brush down their baking tools, get their mitts on and have some baking fun with friends, family and colleagues this summer.

“We recruited the help of ‘Bake Off: Crème de la Crème’ winner, Helen Vass, to kick start the campaign but now it’s down to the public to dig out their pinnies, grab their rolling pins and take part in the Big Beatson Bake Off - together we can help beat cancer with every tasty bite.”

To order a Big Beatson Bake Off kit please visit www.bigbeatsonbakeoff.org phone 0141 212 0505 or email events@beatsoncancercharity.org