WHILE cupcakes have ruled the baking world in recent years, a group of home cooks is aiming to reclaim the cake with a new club to celebrate the treat.

The Clandestine Cake Club (CCC) is spreading across the North West, with bakers and cake-loving guests getting together to taste treats and share recipes.

And the first Lancashire gathering is set to take place in the Chorley area with the theme When Fantasy Meets Reality.

Sue Easton has set up the South Lancashire club after seeing discussions online.

She said: “The aim of CCC is for like minded home bakers, or professionals, to get together — usually in local tea or coffee shops — to share cakes they bake.

“These must be proper cakes — no cupcakes, muffins, brownies, pies or tarts allowed.

"This is all about cake.”

Each cake must be large enough to make between eight and 12 good slices.

Recipes already lined up for the Lancashire debut event include Victoria sponge with cardamom, rose cream and rhubarb, ginger, beetroot and chocolate, lemon drizzle meringue, Irish chocolate and Canadian tea loaf.

Venues are only revealed to confirmed attendees a couple of days before the event, although a ‘community-based location in South Lancashire’ has been confirmed.

Other CCC get-togethers have been held in coffee and tea shops, and Sue is looking for suitable venues in the area.

To attend the South Lancashire CCC, on Wednesday, August 10 at 6pm, email southlancscakeclub@gmail.com. There will be a £3 charge to cover drinks and venue hire.

For more information - including how to set up your own CCC - visit the website below.