Staff at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals (NNUH) are getting ready to rise to a very special challenge this Autumn.

To celebrate the new series of the hit television series Great British Bake Off (GBBO), budding bakers at the Trust are being invited to take part in their very own Cupcake Bake Off.

Top Norfolk Chef Richard Hughes, who works with Serco at NNUH to improve the quality of hospital food, will be judging the contest, with the cakes sold off at the end of the event and proceeds going to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity.

And the chef director of The Assembly House Norwich and owner of the Richard Hughes Cookery School has donated a first prize of afternoon tea for four at the Assembly House.

The challenge is for each baker to present five of their finest cupcakes to be judged by Richard on October 26, which will be the week of the grand final of GBBO.

The hospital has had a long-running special relationship with GBBO following the appearance our very own nurse Kate Barmby in 2016.

Kate will be judging the winning cakes, alongside Richard, SERCI hospital’s head chef Lee Parrette, and Head of Fundraising Louise Cook, and passing on her own secrets for producing first-class cakes.

Louise said: “We hope as many staff take part and have some fun – even if they are not regular bakers. Maybe we can make a record for the most cupcakes in a hospital as well as raising lots of dough for our charity.’’

For more information about the N&N Hospital Charity 01603 287107 or www.nnhospitalscharity.org.uk