EVERY child should get a birthday cake, according to a York community organisation making free cake for disadvantaged youngsters.

Free Cakes for Kids York is part of a national group making birthday cakes for families who find it difficult to provide a cake for their child.

Lead organiser Lucy Baines, 27, a mum from Chapelfields, heads up a team of of 21 women volunteers in York, some professional cooks and others who just enjoy baking.

They get referrals from social services, childrens' centres, schools and charities and bake and deliver birthday cakes to order for children who might not be getting a birthday cake that year for some reason.

Mrs Baines, who is married to Daniel and has an 18-month-old toddler, Reuben, said: "I got involved because I love baking. I started making cakes for friends and family as a teenager and when i heard about this organisation elsewhere in the country, I wondered why York didn't have one.

"It gives me an excuse to bake and the families are always so grateful. I don't usually get to see the kids' reactions because they like to keep it a surprise, but I have had really good feedback."

The York group has been running since April 2012 and has made about 60 cakes so far.

Mrs Baines said: "We are getting busier at present with more organisations referring in to us and more volunteers on board.

"We usually try to make a cake on the theme the child chooses, so we've done Peppa Pig, car cakes, Monsters Inc, princess cakes, football shirts and all sorts."

The group only deals with referrals and you can get in touch through their Facebook page Free Cakes For Kids York https://www.facebook.com/FreeCakesForKidsYork