An ex-England rugby captain officially opened a school Christmas fair in Beaconsfield on Saturday.

Kyran Bracken, who was part of the 2003 World Cup winning squad and won Dancing on Ice in 2007, cut the festive ribbon at Beaconsfield High School’s Christmas fair on November 28 and helped to raise over £15,000.

Kyran, along with his family and hundreds of pupils, parents and residents, soaked up the festive atmosphere and browsed dozens of craft and gift stalls, while enjoying a mulled wine and music from the school choir.

The annual school event was supported by Gerrards Cross legal firm, B P Collins LLP, who sponsored the event and hosted the popular Christmas cake competition, which had more than 80 entries.

Legal partner Sue Andrews judged the competition and was tasked with selecting three category winners and an overall champion.

The main prize was awarded to year 8 student Mia Lyndsay, who created a gravity defying entry modelled on the Big Ben clock tower.

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Sue said: “It was incredibly difficult to narrow down the winners from such a large selection of worthy entrants.

“It was evident that all the students had taken a great deal of time and effort to produce some very unique and intricate cakes and they should all be very proud of their hard work. 

“With so many cakes of all shapes and sizes, my job was near impossible but I was delighted to be part of such a fun event that brings the community together. Congratulations to the winners and all the girls who took part.”

After the competition, the fun continued in the canteen where visitors were invited to sample and order festive wines and cheeses, whilst award-winning butchers, H.A. Price, were on hand to demonstrate how to prepare a Christmas turkey.

The event managed to raise more than £15,000 towards improvements for the school.