A DORSET schoolgirl took part in her own bake-off with a celebrity cake-maker after winning a national award for her support of a cancer charity.

Grace Horton, 12, of Lytchett Matravers, was nominated for the Macmillan and Silver Spoon Little Local Hero Award by her mother Denise, who told the judges: “Grace is a wonderful ambassador and fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer support.

“Her dad passed away in 2009 from pancreatic cancer and was a fabulous cook and bread maker. He taught her to bake amazing cakes and biscuits."

Grace’s prize was a cookery master class in London with master patissier and “Cake Boy” Eric Lanlard, who has had his own Channel Four series.

Denise, who accompanied her daughter, said afterwards: “She had a brilliant day – she loved it.

“Grace has been baking since she was four and has been saying for a while she would really like to open her own bakery.”

After Andy’s death at the age of 53, Grace also lost her grandmother to the same disease.

She and her mother have since raised thousands of pounds for charity. “I’m very proud of her,” said Denise.

“I just hope it makes her into a person that’s always going to be that way, to keep the memory of her dad and nan.”

The award was in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, taking place on Friday September 27.

Grace and her friends at Allenbourne Middle School will be selling cakes.