CAKE and coffee was enjoyed all over the Cotswolds at the weekend, as businesses and local residents raised money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The World's Biggest Coffee morning is celebrated all across the UK to raise millions of pounds for the cancer charity each year. Friends, neighbours, colleagues and even strangers come together to enjoy a chat and a coffee to raise money for the life-saving charity.

This year, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire did not disappoint and various businesses, schools and individuals got involved with occasion.

Tutor groups at Cirencester Sixth Form College raised £458 with their coffee morning on Friday. The students organised baking challenges for each other, such as the Great Cirencester College Fairy Cake Bake Off, which attracted 30 entries.

The winner of the taste award went to Jasmine Gray who baked a light raspberry-topped cake and Louise Storey stole the artistic award with her beef burger made out of cake sponge.

Student union officer Millie Philpott said it was fantastic how well the morning had gone. "It's the first event for us as the new Student Union and it's been so encouraging," she said. "Everyone has been so excited and it's all for a brilliant cause."

Also hosting a coffee morning last Friday, September 26 was Lavender House interiors and coffee shop in Stratton, Cirencester. Owners Victoria Meeke and Ali Candy-Waters said the whole day was a real success. They raised almost £100 for the charity.

"We had a steady stream of people all day," said Victoria. "We gave our profits for the day to Macmillan and had loads of people giving donations too. Some people came all morning eating chocolate brownies and other people just came to grab a coffee.

"There was a great atmosphere."

Cirencester's Posy and Pearl also held a coffee morning, selling cupcakes outside the shop with a raffle inside. Fundraisng efforts on the day meant an extra £400 was donated to Macmillan.

The shop continued its fundraising the following day by selling its leftover cupcakes to South Cerney's youth football team, netting another £27.

Other businesses and community groups hosting coffee mornings for Macmillan included Perry Bishop and Chambers estate agents, Cirencester jewellers Posy and Pearl, Fairford Bowling Club, and Malmesbury Vics Football Club.

Westonbirt Prep School also raised £558 with a coffee morning which included cakes and a sweet stand, while Cotswold District Council raised £400 with cakes and a tombola featuring prizes donated by staff.

Stratton resident and business owner Dawn Witt hosted her own coffee morning at home and raised more than £200. She is continuing to host coffee mornings for charity throughout the week.