An Ilkley tea room is serving up the secret of seasonal success, according to food critics.

Bettys Craft Bakery’s vintage Christmas cake beat leading super-market brands, department stores and specialist bakers at a national food-tasting test in Lon-don.

The cake, which is matured for ten months and contains fruit steeped in sherry, was named best in category by the Good House-keeping Institute.

Leading food writers in national newspapers and magazines have also judged the cake to be a winner.

Ilkley café manager Hazel Bone said: “We are immensely proud of our Christmas cakes which are all handmade, using time-honoured recipes and brimming with lovely ingredients. It’s an extra delight to know that our passion and expertise for baking is being recognised across the country.”