BREAD hating bus driver Sandra Lambert had a bit of a 'cob-on' when colleagues dreamed up an extra special birthday surprise -- a 5ft long loaf of bread!

But the 31-year-old birthday girl soon saw the funny side of the prank played by workers at the Blackburn Transport Office on Ainsworth Street.,

"I was gobsmacked," said Sandra, who is often ribbed for her dislike of all things doughy. One of the inspectors said there was a fellow here to see me but I didn't believe him. I nipped out of the room and when I came back the loaf was there on the table and they all starting singing Happy Birthday.

"The thing is -- I can't stand bread."

It took two people to carry in the super-loaf, baked by Blackburn bakers Sandersons, Pleckgate Road.

Baker Martin Sanderson said: "It's the biggest we've ever made -- we had to bolt two baking trays together to get it in the oven. It took two people to mould it, in fact it was a two man job all round."

Sandra, whose husband Michael is also a bus driver, said: "It was a joke from the lads but no one is owning up to it. I've only been here five months but they've made me feel really welcome. I couldn't ask for a better place to work."

After declining to fill her freezer with the monster loaf Sandra decided to donate it to the Salvation Army's soup kitchen to be given out to the homeless.

Captain Neil Denyer of the Salvation Army hostel in Blackburn said: "I was very surprised, but it was a lovely gesture and will be put to good use."