CAKE decorating enthusiasts are staging their first exhibition to demonstrate their skills and attract new people to the craft.

The Wearside Branch of the British Sugarcraft Guild will hold the exhibition and competition on Saturday, September 9, in Sunderland University's Prospect Building, part of St Peter's Campus.

The branch has members in Sunderland, Washington, South Shields and Gateshead, and aims to share sugarcraft knowledge and develop enthusiasts' talents and stimulate interest in the hobby.

A spokeswoman for the branch said: "There will be an exhibition of work made entirely from sugar, including cakes, floral sprays, models, miniatures and much more.

"Demonstrations will be held throughout the day - come and see the experts at work.

"There will also be raffles, a tombola, trade stalls and a balloon race which will be launched by Marky Mark, Metro Radio's Eye in the Sky.

"This is our first competition and we will be hosting people from other branches all over the country. We will be helping the local economy by bringing visitors and their families to the area and by promoting local traders.''

The competitions during the event will be open to all Guild members and there will be special classes for its junior section, the Cygnets.

The demonstrators will be well-known in the cake decorating world, having written books on the subject.

Admission to the all-day exhibition will be £3 for adults and £1.50 for children and pensioners.