Bakers have whipped up a £1,800 donation for two charities which supported seriously ill patients.

The Colchester Master Bakers Association, which has now disbanded, divided the donation equally between East Anglia Children’s Hospice and St Helena Hospice.

It had members from across North Essex in places such as Harwich, Clacton and as far as Tollesbury.

The money had accumulated from all the members over many years.

Ann Hume, of Hume’s bakery in Halstead High Street, had been a member for more than 50 years.

She said: “It is good to be able to help the charities and it is good we can give that amount to each of them.“We would like it be to used for a specific item rather than going in a pot.”