A WIRRAL primary school will welcome stars including Wallasey-born Great British Bake Off host Paul Hollywood for an event designed to promote an interest in baking and healthy eating among families.

Taking place at Ridgeway High School on Thursday December 13, The Hillside Primary School Bake Off will also feature Moreton-born Masterchef champion Claire Lara, celebrity chef Brian Mellor and local families taking part in a festival of food.

The event has been funded by Wirral Council's Love Food Hate Waste campaign and www.GrainChain.com, a resource which helps teachers educate children about grain-based foods.

The event is organised by Paul's brother, Hillside Primary headteacher Jason Hollywood. Their brother Lee, who runs Wirral-based Born and Bread Ltd, the specialist Artisan bakers, will also take part.

Looking forward to taking part, Paul Hollywood - who was among the host of celebrities at last week's glittering Wirral Golden Globes ceremony,  said: "I love supporting my home, especially through the art of baking, it's fantastic!"

Cllr Tony Smith, Wirral's cabinet member for children's services and lifelong learning, said: "This is an extraordinary event which has the potential to inspire a love of baking for a generation of children.

"To welcome so many world-renowned chefs to Wirral is very exciting, and I can only praise the ambition of our schools in organising this memorable day."

Cllr Brian Kenny, cabinet member for the environment said: "I'm so glad that our Love Food, Hate Waste campaign has been able to play such a key part in the Hillside Primary School Bake Off.

"Love Food, Hate Waste is all about raising awareness of home cooking and getting the message across that families can save money by making good use of leftovers."

Wendy Marshall at GrainChain.com said: "We are delighted to support this initiative, which captures the enjoyment of baking.

"The tenets of grainchain.com are to teach children valuable cooking skills as well as nutritional knowledge and information about where their food comes from."

The event will see Bake Off demonstrations by all of the chefs, with baking challenges for the children and families taking part.

Representatives from Wirral Council’s Love Food, Hate Waste campaign will also be on hand with waste-busting demonstrations. Music will be provided by 5,4,3,2,1, featuring Rory Taylor. 

The Heswall-based performer missed out on the chance to play the title role in first ever UK arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar after coming runner up in the final of ITV's Superstar in July. The prize went to Ben Forster.

The Hillside Primary School Bake Off runs from 12.45 to 3.20pm.

Tickets, £10, are from headteacher Jason Hollywood on 0151 677 9960 or emailing schooloffice@hillside.wirral.sch.uk.

Proceeds from the event will go to the debt counseling charity Christians Against Poverty.