From Revolting Rhymes to Matilda, the stories of children's author Roald Dahl proved great inspiration for some truly 'dahlicious' cakes created by Old Catton schoolchildren.

The youngsters from Old Catton C of E Junior School were set the culinary challenge by John Lewis Norwich patisserie chef Ronnie Hemblen to design cakes based on their favourite books by the children's writer, and to spark their imaginations she made them a Bruce Bogtrotter cake from the book Matilda to try.

Each of the school's 153 pupils aged seven to 11 were then asked to draw and create a recipe for a cake based on a Roald Dahl story.

Nine-year-old Ethan Murray was crowned the best cake creator with his 'Peachy Rat Stew' cake after 12 finalists were picked to serve their cakes to Ronnie and her team on Friday.

His cake was inspired by Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes and featured a squashed icing sugar rat.

Ronnie Hemblen, patisserie chef at John Lewis in Norwich, said: 'I have been very impressed with all of the designs, the children have really listened to my advice and have used their imagination to create some unbelievable cakes.'

Second prize went to Kyna Ellis, 10, with her Esio Trot tortoise cake, and third prize went to Katie Marks, nine, with a Matilda-inspired creation.

The other cake designs to reach the top 12 were: nine-year-old Amber Moscrop's Wonka's gold ticket cake; seven-year-old Oliver Drury's bottom of the bin cake; seven-year-old Lucy Moscrop's Fantastic Mr Fox cake; nine-year-old Ruby Cross' earwax surprise; 10-year-old Rosie Bailey's green slime cake; eight-year-old Annalise Mallett's oompa loompa forest; nine-year-old Michael Bridge's gluten-free gogglebog cake; seven-year-old Fred Viner's centipede cake; and nine-year-old Jack Feast's spider cake.

• Is your school holding a special event? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk