STARTING a new business is the icing on the cake for 45-year-old Christine Fisher.

After a year of being jobless and hundreds of job applications later, she got help via Bradford's Jobcentre Plus to get her catering career back in the mix.

She was referred to Government work programme Ingeus to get specialist employment support and when she took in a fully decorated cake to say thank you for all the help it became clear just where her talents play.

“We immediately suggested to Christine that she should start her own business as a cake maker and decorator, and we’re delighted to say that’s exactly what she has done. ‘Miss Cakes’ has been formed and, even though it’s early days, Christine is doing really well,” said Paul Clarke, of Ingeus.

Ingeus then teamed up with specialist training agency All Star Entertainment to help her start up her bussines.

Mrs Fisher, of Girlington, said: “I have always enjoyed making cakes for family and friends, but I had no idea how to turn my passion into a business.

"When Ingeus and All Star suggested the idea and explained what was involved, it seemed like I would have had an enormous mountain to climb but, thanks to all the support I am receiving, I am confident of getting there.

"Being unemployed was never part of my plan and it was a very difficult time for all sorts of reasons, not least of which was the drain on my confidence. That’s all changed now and, once again, I’m doing something that I love. That’s a great reason to celebrate… with a cake, of course!”