BUDDING bakers are being urged to rise to the challenge of The Great Apprentice Bake-off.

The competition, which is only open to people currently serving apprenticeships, will test their culinary skills.

Cake experts will judge the efforts based on criteria such as taste and presentation at a bake-off at County Hall on Monday, March 11.

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for business and communications Nick Carter said: “Events like this give the apprentices a chance to meet their peers and share experiences, and also allow them to try something outside their usual vocational work.

“We may even have a budding chef among the apprentices who work in various sectors from engineering to social care. Overall the aim is to hold an enjoyable event that will also raise important funds for a worthy charity.”

March 11 also marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week.

It is being run in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, and is modelled on the charity’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, which raised more than £13m in 2012.

Oxfordshire fundraising manager for Macmillan Sara Rawnsley said: “We are hoping this unique twist on the usual format will provide an opportunity for local talent to be demonstrated and give the public a spectacle to enjoy.”

The competition is open to any apprentice who is a resident or who is working in Oxfordshire. Email kerri.rook@hittraining.co.uk