A bespoke cake baker from Thorpe Hamlet has made it to the final of a national competition run by food manufacturer, Dr. Oetker.

Debbie Cowley, 42, has been running Sassa's Bespoke Cakes and Cupcakes from her Thorpe Road home since 2010 and could now be set to win a place on her own internet TV baking show.

The mother-of-two is in the final 10 of the Dr Oetker's Bake TV challenge, beating over 440 contestants with her Gruffalo-inspired cake.

Debbie has since produced an instructional video demonstrating how she makes her cakes, as have all the finalists.

The winner will be decided later in March by an expert judging panel, including Ruth Clemens, runner up of BBC Two's Great British Bake Off.

If Debbie wins, she will have the opportunity to present her own tutorials and share her baking tips and tricks with Dr Oetker's Facebook and YouTube communities.

She will also get to attend Leiths Cookery School, in west London, to hone her skills in cupcake making.

Debbie said: 'I've always been passionate about baking and started doing so just for my family and friends, so I'm really proud to have made it into the final of Dr Oetker's Bake TV. I love a challenge and can't wait to see what comes next.'

Debbie decided to set up her own business after being made redundant as an accountant and credits her late mum for her baking inspiration.

She added: 'Sassa's is named after my mum, which is short for Sandra because my girls couldn't quite manage to say her name properly when they were young, and I got all my baking skills from her.

'We've had an awful lot of business since Christmas. Weddings have really taken off because we are a little different, not just plain three-tiered cakes, we can do unusual cakes, like ones on the wonk.'

To support Debbie in the final, and to watch her video, go to www.facebook.com/DrOetkerBaking, or for more about her business, go to www.sassascakes.co.uk

Have you made it to the final of a competition? Contact reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or david.freezer@archant.co.uk