TENSION may be running high in the Great British Bake Off tent at the moment, but that didn't stop scores of bakers across the borough from whipping up their very own masterpieces.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning returned once again on Friday in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

Right across the town families opened up their homes to welcome in friends and families to share a hot drink and a slice of cake, while local businesses also did their bit and hosted their very own coffee morning for employees.

Each of the town's M&S stores hosted coffee mornings, as did Tesco Extra on Ocotal Way, along with the town centre's Virgin Money store and Media Plant on Dorcan Way.

Meanwhile, at the town's bus station even the bus drivers got into the spirits of the day, with some even baking their own cakes which they put on sale to offer refreshment to passengers at the end of their journeys into town.

Villagers in Purton - who hadn't had their fill from Emma Berry's coffee morning held over the weekend - poured into The Pear Tree where they were greeted by a mouthwatering selection of sweet treats.

Staff at Nationwide Building Society’s Head Office in Swindon shared a giant cake in support of the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Hundreds of staff came together to raise vital funds for people affected by cancer, and help ensure no one faces cancer alone.

This year Nationwide was the official community partner for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. As part of this, Nationwide branches across the country hosted coffee mornings for local communities and encouraged people to host their own community coffee morning, while each of the town's branches also hosted their own.

Ella Brock-Smith, citizenship manager at Nationwide, said: “It was great sharing a cuppa and a treat (or two!) with hundreds of our staff at our Swindon head office.

"Many of us know someone affected by cancer, and so Macmillan is a charity that’s close to our hearts. At Nationwide, we believe life’s better when we share and even better when we share time together for a good cause.”

Money raised by coffee mornings held in branches will go towards funding Macmillan Cancer Support Mobile Information and Support Centres which offer free, confidential information and support to people affected by cancer in their communities.

By 2020 it is anticipated that almost half of the population will get cancer at some point in their lives and so continued support is essential, enabling Macmillan to provide emotional, practical, medical and financial support for the growing number of people living with cancer.

Rounding off events yesterday, the 1st Eldene Brownies - who were all hard at work at school during the day - hosted their very own coffee evening at Eldene Primary School.