EXPERT cake maker Mary Caplice really takes the biscuit when it comes to community spirit.

For years the 85-year-old pastry chef has given up her time to cook tasty treats for young people attending Bridport's Millennium Advice and Information Centre.

The former pub landlady bakes all sorts of goodies - from pizzas to cream topped meringues - for the members to enjoy, delivering them weekly in a huge wicker "granny basket".

It's has been a labour of love for Mary who takes huge delight in seeing the youngsters wolf down her delicious pastries.

But this week the tables were tuned when staff and club members laid on a special surprise thank you for their favourite benefactor.

And for the first time Mary left with more in her basket than she brought - after receiving gifts including flowers and plants.

"She is a lovely lady and we wanted to do something to say thank you," said Centre Manger Zoe Serby. "Her cakes are absolutely fabulous - she is a superb cook and brings in everything from miniature pizzas to meringues, all beautifully finished."

Mary, who ran the Marquis of Lorne pub with late husband Arthur Williams for many years, said she offered to help out at the Mill Centre after hearing they needed some volunteers and put in a couple of hours a week before having to have pacemaker fitted.

Then she thought she would put her kitchen skills to go use - and have "a nice bake up" for them and take the cakes down on a Monday when she could see all her young friends again.

"It's not so great," said Modest Mary. "I get a lot out of it because it gives me a purpose to my day."

"The youngsters especially love the crumble top things with oats and cherries as well as the meringues.

"And they never grumble if anything's a bit burned and not quite right!"

Not content with cooking for the youngsters Mary has now taken a job sorting items at the YMCA charity shop in Bridport, putting in a couple of hours every Thursday.