Nine cakes by Mary Berry to help baker win a bigger slice of market

MARY Berry has been brought in by baker Finsbury Food Group to release a range of cakes.

The 81-year-old former Great British Bake Off judge ( pictured) is launching nine cakes designed in collaboration with the baking giant, which supplies grocers across the UK. They will cost from about £3 to £6, and will include round cakes, loaf cakes and celebration treats.

John Duffy, chief executive, said: ‘Mary Berry is an icon in baking. A lot of people watch the programme and are interested in baking but may not have the time or skills. This is about bringing everyday treats to life.’

Duffy will hope the cakes, due to be on shelves by the summer, will boost sales – which remained flat last year at £156.6m in the six months to December 31. Profit rose 5.3pc to £7.9m. Duffy, 52, who said the group was consolidating after rapid expansion, has been outspoken in warning over price rises due to the fall in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote.