A NEW initiative which sees people with learning difficulties making and selling cakes has been given the thumbs up by a senior politician.

U R Cakes, which is based at the Upham Road Centre, received a visit from the minister for disabled people, Anne McGuire.

The minister was invited by South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove.

Mrs Snelgrove said: "I'm very pleased to be able to invite the minister to see some of the good work that's going on in Swindon.

"This is a wonderful idea and something I'm very happy to support.

"I shall certainly be buying some cakes."

U R Cakes, which is supported by Swindon Council, gives users of the Upham Road Centre training in culinary skills, as well as supporting them by selling the produce.

The minister said: "It's excellent to see that this cake-making business is taking off.

"It's a great opportunity for the people involved in the scheme to learn new skills and gain valuable confidence."

The MPs were presented with an example of U R Cakes' work by one of the bakers, Lee Waldron.

The cakes are sold every other Friday, from 11.30am to 1.30pm at the temporary central library in Princes Street. The next sale will take place on April 4.

Donna Huff, the centre manager, said: "It's really caught on - we've had a fantastic response from the customers in the library.

"It's great to have recognition from people like Anne and the minister."