Fancy a piece of birthday celery anyone?

THE offer of a piece of cake from a colleague on their birthday is just the thing to liven up a dull day at the office.

But health chiefs warned yesterday that the practice added to the national obesity crisis and should be avoided.

Instead, co-workers should celebrate with... cucumber, carrots, celery sticks or fruit.

The advice from Public Health England tells managers: ‘Begin a conversation about how special events are marked. Can cake days be shared, or healthier alternatives be provided?’

Christopher Snowdon, of the Institute of Economic Affairs, accused PHE of trying to ‘suck the joy out of life’.

Nancy Birtwhistle, who won The Great British Bake Off in 2014, said: ‘Eating cake does not in itself cause obesity. I’d struggle to make a showstopper celebration cake from carrots, celery and a cucumber.’

PHE said: ‘No one is trying to ban cakes. Thinking about healthier habits at work is a good idea, not an obligation.’