A Minster mum is still coming to terms with being crowned the winner of a yuletide cake decorating competition on a Channel 4 TV show.

Jo Ryan, of Imperial Avenue, featured on Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas.

The 30-year-old, who works as a cake decorator at The Whitstable Cake Company in Tankerton, was given six hours to decorate her winter showstopper as one of four contestants selected from hundreds of applications.

Mrs Ryan, who is also a nail technician, said: “I thought I would just apply for the show on the off-chance after one of my nail clients said she thought I’d be good on it. I didn’t expect to get a phone call back. I was amazed.”

The mother-of-one created a Christmas snow globe cake and said she owes the inspiration to her childhood memories.

“I wanted to do something involving the family sitting around the fire, with stockings hanging up and the Christmas tree twinkling; a traditional family Christmas, like when I was growing up.

Video: Watch how to make Jo's snow globe cake

“To start with, I didn’t quite know how to capture all of that on a cake.

“Then I thought of a snow globe and thought I could put my idea into that design.”

Mrs Ryan’s creation was primarily made from modelling paste and fondant.

The former Minster College pupil also used rice paper for the snowflakes and various non-toxic glitters. It even had a self-contained battery powered unit that, with the use of a remote control, made the fire flicker and the Christmas tree lights twinkle.

The competition judge said she was amazed by the amount Mrs Ryan had managed to do in the allocated time and host Kirstie Allsopp said she was impressed with her attention to detail.

“I am amazed to have won,” Mrs Ryan said.

“The other contenders’ creations were fantastic, I really didn’t think I was going to win.”

However, it’s not the first time she’s found TV success. One of her scale models of Star Wars’ robot R2D2 was used in a commercial for Curry’s.

Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas is now available on catch-up at All4.