A BAKE off fundraiser competition has raised money towards providing the people of Bolton with a defibrillator.

Staff at BMI The Beaumont Hospital held the competition and cake sale to raise funds for a community defibrillator.

Staff at the hospital in Lostock, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, used the occasion to challenge themselves to fundraise for a defibrillator which will be donated to the people of Bolton.

The donated defibrillator will be placed at Bolton’s Market Place shopping centre where over 100,000 people visit weekly as there is currently no immediate access to a potentially life saving machine.

David Smart, managing director of local bakers Greenhalgh’s, joined the hospital’s budding bakers to judge a range of homemade scones, Victoria sponges and apple pies.

Mr Smart said: “I was delighted to be guest judge for bake off competition. The funds raised will go towards a lifesaving defibrillator which will benefit our local community.”

The star baker was pharmacy manager Louise Dickinson who had entered two categories.

David said: “Louise won star baker because her Victoria sponge was delicious and you could really tell she had used high quality jam. In her apple pie she also used big pieces of fruit which is a favourite of mine.”

A total of £174 was raised as staff and patients alike purchased some of the sweat treats on offer.

The Beaumont Hospital is planning yet more events throughout 2018 to ensure enough money is raised towards the community defibrillator for Bolton.