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A baker made a life-sized sculpture of a horse out of cake after being inspired by the book War Horse.

Emma Jayne Morris, from Aberdare , created the horse for the Cake International sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show at the NEC in Birmingham.

The 47-year-old owner of Emma Jayne Cake Design said it took her two weeks to make the cake and she used 50kg of marshmallow, 50kg of rice crispies, 70kg of sugar paste and 50kg of modelling paste.

Emma, who has only been baking cakes for the last six years, was awarded Cake Artist of the Year by Cake Masters magazine and received a special message from War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

(Image: South Wales Echo)

Emma has displayed show pieces at Cake International for the last four years, producing cakes in the shape of dresses as well as designs inspired by the Avatar and Maleficent films.

“I had done the pretty things and the flowery things but it was about getting the pain and passion across with the horse and I achieved it,” Emma said.

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“We were encouraging people to buy poppies during the show and people were leaving them by the sandbags. It was quite touching to see.”

The mother-of-three was inspired to make the sculpture after a discussion with her husband, Owain Morris, on the way home from last year’s Cake International show.

(Image: South Wales Echo)

Owain, 41, works as a physical training instructor at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon. Although a civilian, Emma wanted to design a piece that drew on his military connection.

“I’m so proud,” Owain said. “After all the hard work that has gone in over the years to come out on top is absolutely fantastic.”

During the show, Owain sent pictures of the sculpture to the Facebook page of War Horse author Michael Morpurgo.

Morpurgo replied: “Quite extraordinary. What an achievement. It is a great sculpture, wonderfully realised. Bravo you!”

Emma was awarded Cake Artist of the Year by Cake Masters Magazine at their Saturday night presentation at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham.

She said she was shocked to win the award as she had attended the event as a nominee for another category.

“It was amazing,” Emma said. “I had a standing ovation. It was so surreal, but it is quite a good feeling.”