A teacher at a Maldon school has thanked residents for their support after raising £250 for the British Heart Foundation earlier this month.

Billie Thorn, subject leader for food preparation, nutrition and textiles at Plume Academy, marked her birthday on 15 March by baking and selling cakes to raise money for the charity.

Miss Thorn said: "I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has come along in person to my cake sale, as well as everyone who donated online.

"We have raised £250 for the British Heart Foundation - thank you all so much for your support."

The charity funds medical research into heart and circulatory diseases and the risk factors that cause them, while campaigning on issues related to this research.

Carl Wakefield, executive principal at Plume, called Miss Thorn's fundraising "a tremendous and perfectly well-timed effort".

A spokesperson for Plume added: "We are absolutely delighted for Miss Thorn.

"She has gone to a lot of effort - over and above her very busy teaching schedule to make and bake cakes to sell and raise money.

"£250 is a very impressive effort and a great way to celebrate her own birthday by raising this sum for the British Heart Foundation."