CELEBRITY baker Paul Hollywood took to the stage as part of a Wirral school’s festival of food this week.

The Wallasey-born star of The Great British Bake Off dropped into Ridgeway High School to lend his expertise to Hillside Primary School’s very own Bake Off.

The event, which took place on Thursday, was a chance for local families to learn about home baking and healthy eating, with funding from Wirral Council’s Love Food Hate waste campaign and Grain Chain.

As part of the Bake Off, children of all ages took part in a ‘scone-off’ as well as four mini bake-offs which included making soda bread.

And Paul, who appears  as judge on the BBC show, said he was happy to be back home alongside his brothers Jason, Hillside Primary headteacher, and Lee, Moreton baker.

He said: “I love supporting my home, especially through the art of baking, it’s fantastic!”

Also taking part in the event was Wirral Masterchef winner Claire Lara who was there to show off her culinary skills.

She said: “It’s great to be getting parents in the kitchen with their children to show them how to bake because it’s something that’s fun and easy to do.There is nothing nicer than seeing people cooking with their mums and dads.”

Music for the afternoon was provided by local band 5,4,3,2,1 which features ITV1’s Superstar runner-up Rory Taylor.

Hillside Primary School headteacher Jason Hollywood said: “The Bake Off was all about promoting quality time together through baking and encouraging families to consider the benefits to health and general well being through baking food that is more lovingly prepared.”