TWO 10-year-olds from Studley have been cooking up a storm to raise money for a charity close to their hearts.

Ximena Villarreal and Bethan Sykes who both live on Landsdowne Cresent in Studley, decided to raise money for the Autistic Society by selling cakes and cookies along their road.

The two, who are both keen cooks, chose their ten favourite cake and cookie recipes and posted orders forms to all 26 houses on the crescent.

Amazingly, they received orders from 23 of the houses, as well as donations from some of the houses that didn’t want cakes, and a few generous tips to go toward their fundraising efforts, amassing an impressive £134 for the charity.

Ximena’s mum, Amanda Villareal, is thrilled with the way her neighbours have responded to the girls’ efforts.

She said: “One of my daughters is autistic, and there’s another boy in the street who’s also autistic, and because everyone knows them both and sees them around I think that helps.

“It makes you put things into perspective. In the current climate people are struggling, and they’ve put their hand in their pocket, they’ve donated money. It’s been really a good show all round, fantastic. We owe them a big thank you.”

The girls worked long and hard for two days baking 48 chocolate chip cookies, five marble cakes, and 42 brownies, before personally delivering them to their neighbours.

Mrs Villareal, added: “I’m really really proud. Obviously it’s been a mammoth task they’ve taken on. We didn’t think there would be so much uptake. They’re really on cloud nine really. I think they’re really proud of themselves.”