A PENDLE school cook is celebrating after winning at top accolade in a national catering competition.

Jacqueline Baines from Barnoldswick Church of England Primary School baked her way to winning both the Gold Medal and the 'Best in Class' award in the Apple Pie/Tart category.

Her tray bake also garnered a Merit award.

Fellow Barnoldswick cook Jeanette Smith of West Craven High School, got a Bronze Medal for her Tray Bake and merit for her 'cake suitable for a special diet'.

They won their awards at the annual national Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) Finishing Touches Catering exhibition which gives school cooks the opportunity to show off skills that they wouldn't usually get the chance to.

The competition, held recently in Birmingham, is aimed at all levels of staff employed in school catering.

It is now in its 10th year and is organised in association with the Craft Guild of Chefs.

Twelve different categories include a range of skills from cake baking and decorating, to floral sugarcraft and cakes for special diets.

Jacqueline said: "I was really nervous about the competition and hoping that something wouldn't go wrong.

"I was over the moon when I won."

Other Lancashire award winners were Sharon Webster from Brookfield Park Primary School, Skelmersdale; Sarah Callaby from Carr Hill High School, Kirkham; Clare Nelson from Carr Hill High School, Kirkham and Rachel Castles-Bathie, from Aughton Town Green Primary School, Ormskirk

Cllr Susie Charles, Lancashire County Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: "Being a school cook is a challenging job. Their menus have to be varied and interesting, as well as nutritious, balanced and appealing to children.

"We know we have some great cooks in our schools, and I'd like to give huge congratulations to those who did so well in this national competition for proving they're among the best anywhere."