A mum-of-three from Midsomer Norton has won a competition in the world’s largest cake decorating show – for her quirky design of a mad scientist’s lab.

Sarah-Jane Shepherd, fought off stiff competition from people across the globe in the Cake International event at Alexandra Palace, London. She won in the novelty cake category, in which everything had to be edible – including the cake board it was presented on.

And she was the only person in her class to receive gold at the sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show.

Sarah-Jane, known as SJ, of Minky Kitten Cakes, said: “I’m delighted to have won. Modelling is one of my strengths as a cake maker because I love the level of detail involved.

“I’d always wanted to make a cake with the theme of a mad scientist. I knew the character could be crazy and all the strange, weird objects would be enjoyable to create. I decided to keep the theme in the family, as my brother is a scientist and I made three rats for each of my little boys.”

SJ, 43, who was previously awarded silver in the Cake International in Birmingham last November, spent fifty hours preparing the novelty treat.

SJ, worked as a Deputy Head at St Mary’s Primary school in Writhlington for nearly ten years. Minky Kitten Cakes came about when she gave some cupcakes to a friend who was so impressed she sold them in her shop. SJ was inundated with requests and set up her business while on maternity leave.

In the six years she has been baking, she has spent over 15,000 hours in the kitchen and made thousands of cakes. SJ, who studied for her postgraduate certification in education (PGCE) at Bath Spa University and later taught at Combe Down Primary, said: “I love making all sorts of cakes, but there’s something particularly special about creating a carefully crafted wedding cake for a couple’s big day.”