COFFEE has been brewed, cakes baked and devoured and even snails raced as mid Cheshire groups joined in a national fundraiser.

Residents, churches and businesses and got the kettle on in the World's Biggest Coffee Morning to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Northwich funeral arranger Hazel Foster is pictured with a star performer from a snail racing competition held in one of the more unusual coffee mornings in the area.

The snail was one of the winners of four races held at The Co-operative Funeralcare in Northwich on Friday.

Six snails ‘raced’ to the edge of a circular 15-inch board in search of a cucumber treat, with the fastest snail recording a time of two minutes three seconds.

For a £1 donation people enjoyed coffee and cake, and paid an extra £1 to cheer on their favourite snail, raising a total of £70.

“The snails were from my garden, and although one of them didn’t want to take part the others were happy to race,” said Hazel.

“It was great fun, and we’re going to do it again next year.”

Castle Community Church, in Beeston Street, brewed up on Friday morning in its annual event, which it has held for many years.

At Queen Elizabeth House, in Church Street, Gavin Ashbrook was given a head shave by Steve Jennings, chief executive of Weaver Vale Housing Trust, during a coffee morning for residents.

Winsford’s Asda store held a community bake-off with primary schools from across town creating cakes that were sold for £1 a slice.

St Chad’s were named as the top chefs in town, winning a free trip to Fuzzy Ed’s play centre in Middlewich.

Chester Road Methodist Church, in Winsford, raised £380 with their event on Saturday, which saw visitors perusing a new art exhibition while sipping their brews.

Works by Winsford artist, Samantha Adams, aka Bonnie V, feature in the gallery.