BAKING star Val Stones made an appearance at a Taunton primary school to take part in a charity bake sale.

Val, a contestant in the 2016 series of Great British Bake Off, was at Minerva Primary School, in Outer Circle, to attend the school’s bake sale in aid of the NSPCC on March 28.

The charity had been at the school teaching the children about the Speak Out Stay Safe campaign, a project which hopes to teach children to talk about any issue they face, whether that is bullying, abuse, or neglect.

Gemma Darby, NSPCC schools service area coordinator, said: “We have visited two thirds of Somerset’s schools so far to deliver our Speak Out Stay Safe talk, which is around 140 schools.

“We also give workshops to Year 5 and 6 students to further promote the message.

“It is all about teaching children to speak out about any issue. For the younger children we teach them about telling a trusted grown-up, or adult for the older children.

“We teach them all about Childline, so they know it is free, confidential, and open 24/7. They learn the phone number using actions.

“It is about giving the students the tools to recognise any issues they might face.”

The sessions are delivered by volunteers, who Miss Darby says are the heart of the programme.

Kim Fowler has been volunteering for the past two years.

She said: “I retired from teaching and wanted to do something. I have been volunteering for two years now and I love being back at school.

“I believe in the message we are delivering, it is so important.”

The bake sale was held afterwards in order to raise money for the charity.

Val was at the bake sale to lend her expertise.

She said: “I have been supporting the NSPCC for 35 years now, it is so important.

“It is a way to give back. I’ve got that little bit of fame now, and I can use it to raise money for important causes.

“I don’t give anything up for lent - instead, I do more, so March has been very busy.

“I love supporting my county, too.

“Somerset is my adopted home, I have lived here longer than I lived in Yorkshire.”