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Bake Off fever grips Britain

GREAT British Bake Off fever has gripped the nation with sales of cake trays, gadgets and ingredients rocketing since the start of the new series.

Britons are rushing to stock up on eggs, flour, blenders, mixers and other appliances as they start rolling up their sleeves and dusting their rolling pins, figures out today show.

There has also been a surge in online searches for cooking products since series five of the Bake Off was aired last Wednesday.

The boost in sales sparked by the show hosted by Sue Perkins, 44, and Mel Giedroyc, 46, has been dubbed “The Mary Berry Effect” after the 79-year-old popular judge.

Online supermarket Ocado has seen web searches for “cake tin” soar 254 per cent over the past few days with sales of jam rising 125 per cent and duck eggs 60 per cent.

Sales of sprinkles, edible flowers and glitter have all gone up 45 per cent with searches for “cake decorations” up 94 per cent since before the show started.

Searches for “eggs” have risen by 40 per cent since last Wednesday.

The show, co-judged by blue-eyed silver fox Paul Hollywood, 47, has driven a surge in sales of cooking gadgets.

Currys & PC World said cake tins, decorating accessories, bowls and utensils are up 48 per cent while 83 per cent more Kitchenaid machines have left the shelves.

Currys & PC World spokeswoman Victoria Bennion said: “Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood seem to have the ultimate recipe for success, with the nation already gripped to their screens to watch the Great British Bake Off. 

“Every year it gets bigger and better and this year is no different, with customers already swamping our site with searches for baking goods and sales on the rise already. 

“Mary Berry really does have the golden touch - with sales spiking overnight on products she uses on the show, the 'Mary Berry Effect' is once again in full force.”