A FUN cake auction at Burlington House in Bedfont has raised a staggering £550 to help needy children this week.

A variety of mouth-watering cakes were up for grabs at the charity event in Bedfont - some going under the hammer for as much as £15. Bidders competed for each of the 40 home-made cakes, including carrot, Dundee, lemon drizzle, Victoria sponge and chocolate - paying an average of £8 for each cake.

A signed Lloyd Grossman recipe book and a signed Ainsley Harriott photo fetched more cash, as did signed CDs by pop act Liberty X, whilst Jason Acton, warden of Burlington Close sheltered housing, raised lots of smiles as auctioneer.

The idea was cooked up by Bedfont resident Liz Harding to help raise funds for the Shooting Star Trust Childrens Hospice Appeal. The trust aims to build and run a hospice for children with life-threatening diseases to serve the west of London and north Surrey.

Liz said: It went fantastically well. We have raised £550 but the final total could be even higher once all the money comes in. Around 40 people came and they all got into the spirit of things. Jason did a great job entertaining everyone and motivating us to put our hands deeper into our pockets.'' The bulk of the £550 was raised from the auction, while £50 was made from the raffle, £35 from collection boxes and £58 from Shooting Star Appeal merchandise.