Cooking up a colourful summer season is Emma Rooney of Walton.

The Walton mum-of-two runs the Cupcake Caddy, which involves baking cakes and running cake decorating classes.

“I also make afternoon teas which I serve to the beach huts locally. I deliver them in beautiful wicker baskets and it’s so enjoyable in the summer months,” she said.

Until a few years ago, Emma used to run a pretty pink burger van selling cupcakes and tea.

“My cakes became very popular very fast and soon I was selling out every day,” said the 39-year-old.

Emma came up with the idea of this after a relationship ended and she needed to make a living and did not want to go on the dole.

“I decided one night I was going to buy a burger van, spray it pink and sell tea and cake from it. That way I could support my children and our ponies,” she said.

“It was a huge success. I had a Facebook page, everyone loved it. I used to dress up in 1950s clothes and don the red lip stick and have a great time meeting amazing people.”

But being a busy mum was too much as well, so the van was sold and then Emma was struck with glandular fever, making her extremely tired. Her illness meant working from home, sometimes having to stop work altogether.

However, Emma’s regulars from “the early days” keep in touch and using Facebook, as well as word-of-mouth, work still comes in. The uniqueness of Emma’s own cake styles and fresh ideas also keeps any competition at bay.

Business is “good” and Emma says she can’t wait to shake off her illness and open a tea room, where she would also sell her cakes, something she had previously planned until falling ill.

“I love what I do. Not only do I enjoy my work, I also have it as a hobby and it has been a wonderful way to be able to earn money and be with my children as they grow up.

“Every cake is unique and has so much effort and time put into it. I think one of my qualities is that I never economise on ingredients time or effort. Each cake is my pride and joy,” she added.