ARTISTS are encouraging people to have their cake and eat it.

Colchester residents have been asked to bake their favourite sponges, cream sandwiches and jam rolls for an exhibition.

They will be served at tea parties thrown by arts organisation Firstsite, with the recipes featured in a book which the arts organisation is compiling.

Firstsite is working with the Colchester Inn project to look at ways people show hospitality in the area.

Firstsite’s Laura Earley said: “Tea and cake is an important part of welcoming people.

“We want to find out about what customs people in Colchester use and what kind of cakes they like.”

The Cake of the Day exhibition was launched at the weekend when artist Peter Jones built a clay oven in the Minories garden.

Cakes were baked in the oven before being shared at Firstsite’s base in Short Wyre Street.

A tea party will be held there daily, from 3pm to 4pm, until February 19.

Each afternoon, a cake will be photographed, cut and served free to the public.

Firstsite has also asked people to bring knick-knacks and ornaments to the base for cataloguing and to share stories behind the objects.

Anyone interested in taking part can contact Laura on 01206 577067 or e-mail laurae@firstsite.uk.snet