SCHOOL bake sales can be forgiven for sometimes featuring tables of misshapen and soggy creations, and perhaps the odd bit of egg shell.

But at one Oxfordshire school it was a different story when one of the UK’s most respected – and most formidable – cookery writers cast her watchful eye over proceedings.

Mary Berry, star of the BBC’s Great British Bake Off, popped in to Chandlings School in Kennington for its charity bake off yesterday.

Fifteen children, who had been whittled down in a series of bake-off heats at the school, each presented a tray of muffins to be judged.

It was proving more nerve-wracking for some than others.

Eleven-year-old Saul Rea, from Cumnor Hill, said: “I’m a bit nervous about cooking in front of Mary Berry, but I’m really excited.

“I’ve made treble chocolate chip ones but instead of dark chocolate, I’m using sprinkles. I prefer sprinkles.”

Will Hand, nine, from Boars Hill, said: “I’ve made lemon and poppyseed muffins, I tried a few other flavours but I didn’t like them.

“I thought Mary Berry would like the flavours too.”

And eight-year-old Scott Buckley, from Abingdon, was busy making blueberry jubilee muffins, decorated with a crown.

He said: “It feels really good to be here, it’s amazing. I’m very nervous, but I love cooking.”

Mrs Berry, who has granddaughters at the school, wandered among the contestants, offering helpful tips and asking about their recipes.

Parents and family members also sent in their own creations to be judged.

Mrs Berry, 76, who lives in Buckinghamshire, said: “I think they really are remarkable, we certainly haven’t got any plain muffins here today.

“I’m so impressed with all of the children, all of them are able to talk about their recipes and ingredients.”

She added: “They have been asked to make muffins, so they have to be a good representation of that, they have to look good, tempting and well finished.

“And then they have to be a lovely texture, not too overbaked, hot on flavour and the icing must complement the flavour.”

The bake off was all to raise funds for Street Hope, a charity working with street children in Nakuru, Kenya. The school aims to raise £5,000 this year to help the charity provide a home, education and healthy meals for children there.

l The winners from each year were: Year three – Lara Hynes Year four – Will Hand Year five – Tia Duffy Year six – Iris Petrillo Family winner – the Round family Individual winner – Linda Saxton