Bakers from Rutland's 'Love Life Eat Cake' and 'The Purple Pumpkin Cake Company' win awards at Cake International in Birmingham

Two bakers are celebrating success after clinching prizes at an international competition.

Michele Walters and Sarah Cooper-Smith demonstrated exceptional creative flair when they entered the contests at Cake International.

The global event takes place in Birmingham each year, giving cake-makers the opportunity to buy new products, develop contacts and enter competitions.

Michele, 49, runs her own business, Love Life Eat Cake, in Oakham.

She was one of 12 bakers from across the country who worked together on a Wizard of Oz cake in the collaborative category.

They won a gold award and came first in the collaboration category.

Michele, who baked the Tin Man, said: “People enter from all over the world and it’s so inspiring to see such amazing edible art.

"We didn’t even expect to win a gold award so to win first place in the category was even more fantastic.

“There was a cash prize but it’s also great bragging rights as a professional cake baker."

Ryhall baker Sarah, 44, owns the Purple Pumpkin Cake Company and only decided to enter a week before the event.

She won merit awards in the colourful cake and wedding cake categories.

She said: “I was shocked but I’m very proud.”

BBC's Matt Baker pedals through Rutland for Children in Need.