A CAKE-MAKER from Alderbury has put her skills to good use to wish Captain Tom Moore a happy 100th birthday today while raising money for the NHS.

Katherine Matthews, of Cakey McCakeface, spent 10 to 12 hours baking this vanilla showstopper, which is 9-10 inches tall, made of four layers of cake and a beret which is also cake.

Unable to deliver it to him, she has decided to offer it for auction with all proceeds going to NHS Charities Together - the cause supported by Captain Tom.

She said: "I always wanted to make a 100th birthday cake and thought if I get the opportunity, why not.

"I would love to get it to him but I’m sure he will be inundated with gifts so hopefully it will raise a bit of money."

The 44-year-old, whose idea came like "a bolt from the blue", found out about Captain Tom through one of his many TV appearances.

The Second World War veteran inspired the nation by raising more than £29 million for the NHS by walking 100 lengths of his garden before his 100th birthday.

She said: "I saw him and thought 'Wow, good on him to do that!' It took him ages and I thought that's real perseverance, how lovely.

"It's something that's really touched people because look how much money he's raised. He's cheered people up and he's become a bit of a mascot for the country at the moment.

"He's a really positive role model."

Taking advantage of the opportunity to bake a 100th birthday cake for the first time, the mum-of-two, who only discovered her passion for baking six years ago, spent the weekend designing and making this celebratory gift for Captain Tom.

To make it as realistic as possible, she even asked for help to her father-in-law, a former colonel, so she could recreate a uniform that resembled the one Captain Tom would have worn.

"I'm really pleased with how it's turned out, it's just how I pictured it in my head," she said.

"I thought 'you never know if you'll get the opportunity to make [a 100th birthday cake] so why not'.

"A lot of wedding or celebratory cakes I had have been moved or cancelled so I had the time and I could make it how I wanted.

"Let's hope it raises some money now."

Bidding for the cake will stop at 8pm. Those place a bid or make a donation visit https://bit.ly/35euDJg