CELEBRITY baker Sandy Docherty has been credited with helping to develop what could be one of the country's most popular after-school cooking clubs.

Around 80 pupils at Baildon's Titus Salt School have now put their names down to bake alongside the former contestant on BBC1's The Great British Bake Off.

When the T&A visited the after-school club, the pupils were baking lemon and pepper chicken as staff member Miss Docherty - Miss D to pupils - praised their efforts.

Only 26 pupils could be squeezed onto the six-week course and the rest will have to wait until next term.

At the Thursday afternoon cooking club, pupils were busy making chicken nuggets and potato wedges as Sandy took time out to talk about the club's growing popularity.

"This is a six-week course which runs up to half-term," she said.

"We will then probably have to do the same course again up to Christmas because it is oversubscribed.

"About 80 pupils wanted to do it but we usually only have 20 in the classroom. We have 26 here so are getting extra help from Hannah Halliday, who is a sixth former.

"The headteacher is funding it at the moment, covering the cost of the ingredients.

"The ultimate aim is that the kids learn a life skill in a creative way, without the pressure of an exam. Kids walk out of school after a 90-minute class feeling a few inches taller and with a piece of success in their hands."

Hannah Halliday, 16, said Miss Docherty's personality helped put the fun into cooking.

"She is very enthusiastic and brings light into the room. Cooking does build up pupils' confidence."

Pupils said they enjoyed being left to get on with it.

Adrian, 11, from Shipley, said: "I cook a lot at home and my dad loves cooking. He loves making buns and putting loads of buttercream on them - but he can't eat them as he's diabetic."

Zoya, 11, said baking was a great cure for stress.

"I had a headache after my history lesson but coming to cooking club got rid of the headache. I like to make desserts and a whole meal like chicken nuggets and chips."

Aileen Platt, assistant year leader, said: "We have extraordinary numbers at cooking club thanks to Sandy's celebrity status. Pupils have been talking about Miss D being on TV and are wanting to be involved."

Teacher Kate Mills said: "They all want to cook with Sandy. There are around 25 in the class now. Normally I would be marking but thought I would come along and take a look."

Education officials from Bradford Council were on hand to video the cookery club and take photos of Miss Docherty and the pupils.

A council spokesman said the cookery club was a good example of "education beyond the classroom" which the council wanted to see more of.

"It's about role models. Sandy has taken that opportunity and is a great role model for kids."

* Miss Docherty will be judging sponge cakes at a Harvest Festival-themed meeting of the Baildon Belles WI meeting tomorrow.

Miss Docherty will be on a panel judging various categories including Best Victoria sponge cake, jam, pickle/chutney, flower arrangement, cupcake design and amusing comedy vegetable (naturally occurring).

Proceeds from cake sales will go to MacMillan Cancer Care.