IT isn't often hotel general managers take over the kitchen to do a spot of baking, usually because they are busy welcoming guests and ensuring the ship sails smoothly.

But at Dumbleton Hall, a 19th century manor house, staff from all corners of the hotel rolled up their sleeves to make their own cakes which were displayed for sale at a Macmillan coffee morning fundraiser and raised more than £300 for the cancer support charity.

Sales manager John Tookey said it was a perfect opportunity for people to come along, see the hotel and meet staff and enjoy cakes that they had made ourselves; even those who have never made a cake before.

Dumbleton Hall, situated between Toddington and Evesham, became popular in the 1930s for house parties with regular guests including Sir John Betjeman, later to become Poet Laureate, and the popular Mitford sisters.