THOUSANDS of hungry visitors flocked to picturesque Christchurch Quay at the weekend to satisfy their sweet tooth and indulge in some decadent goodies.

The Quomps were transformed into a traditional English fete scene for the Great Christchurch Bake Weekend, the grand finale to the borough’s Food and Wine Festival.

With workshops and demonstrations by local chefs and experts, as well as special guest Jo Wheatley, winner of the 2011 BBC Great British Bake-Off, there was something for everyone, including mountains of scrummy cakes.

As well as a helter-skelter and inflatable slide for the youngsters and the young-at-heart, there were stalls selling other tasty goodies, including a Champagne bar and beer bus for the adults.

And the throngs of people who visited the waterside location certainly enjoyed themselves, with the sunshine even putting on a grand appearance on Saturday.

Jo Wheatley, who demonstrated how to make chocolate and peanut butter cookies, a lemon and coconut cake, and also one of her new creations, an apple Dorset cake, which was inspired by her visit to Christchurch last year, said she was delighted to be back.

“It’s lovely to be back in Christchurch,” she said.

“I love it here. Everyone is just so friendly and it’s a beautiful place to be.

“As soon as I arrive here I just relax. It’s a great event as well and it’s brilliant to see so many people.

“The lemon and coconut cake I baked in the demonstration was part of the adult cookery set challenge and they have all done so well.

“One cake was amazing. They got best in show for it – just exquisite.”

Other workshops and events over the weekend included a series of bread masterclasses from The Captain’s Club Hotel’s Tim Gower, the Crooked Beam’s Simon Hallam and Luke Stuart from White Pepper Cookery School.

On Sunday, festival patron Lesley Waters helped to judge the children’s cake competition and celebration cakes.