A BUDDING 15-year-old baker from Hillingdon won first prize at a national baking competition for young carers last month.

Iram Potts, who attends the Hillingdon Young Carers project, beat off competition from across the country at the Young Carers Festival, with 1,400 young carers participating on Sunday June 26.

Her winning pop-inspired cake decoration was created in just 30 minutes in the Bake Off finale, and impressed the judges from The Children’s Society, YMCA Fairthorne Group and Kimberley Wilson, 2013 finalist from The Great British Bake Off.

Baker, blogger and psychotherapist Kimberley, who presented Iram with her award, said: “Iram’s cake was original and very creative.

“She did a great job in a short amount of time.

 “Young carers are some of the most strong, courageous and inspiring people on the planet and I’m honoured to be here.”

The baking competition Iram won was part of ‘Bake and Brew’, a national Children’s Society initiative that encourages people of all ages and abilities to get baking, gather friends and family, and raise money to help the charity’s work with some of the country’s most vulnerable children.

Iram said: “It’s the first time I have been to Young Carers Festival and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

"The cake decorating was so much fun and I can’t believe I won. I am so pleased!”

With the Great British Bake Off set to grip the nation later in the summer, The Children’s Society hopes the public will also get behind Bake and Brew to help raise money towards its vital work.

The Young Carers Festival is run by The Children’s Society and YMCA Fairthorne Group, offering children who provide care for a family member three days of respite and fun.