Get a taste for art at the 'edible exhibition'

Around 500 freshly baked vanilla and chocolate cakes will be handed out for free tomorrow as part of what is billed as the world's first ever "edible exhibition" at the Pleasance Courtyard.

Cupcakes themed with Scottie dogs, thistles and Scottish flags, as well as pens and recipe cards, will be provided at the event, which is the touring element of Tate & Lyle's Cake Britain exhibition.

Curator of the exhibition, Lily Vanilli, said: "We will try to limit it to one cake per person, so they will last quite a while - about three or four hours. Cake lovers and art lovers alike are invited to taste a cake and perhaps be inspired to then create their own cake art which they can submit to the exhibition."

Cake lovers are also invited to send images of their own cake creations to the Facebook page - www.facebook.com/welovebaking - to be in with a chance of having it featured at the three-day Cake Britain exhibition in London. Entries will be judged by a panel of cake creators whose work is appearing at the exhibition.

On display at the main exhibition will be the work of several young artists, which has been interpreted into cake and other sweet treats by some of the UK's most talented bakers. Among the exhibits will be an 8ft "cupcake tree".

Ms Vanilli said: "The exhibition is organised by a company called A Fairtrade Mad Artists Tea Party which came up with the idea of linking artists and bakers together."

She added: "We knew that the Festival was taking place in Edinburgh and we wanted to be a part of it.

"People in Edinburgh should get themselves down to the Pleasance Courtyard to have a cupcake, and hopefully create their own."

All proceeds from the London exhibition will go to Richard House, We Make Peace and the Fairtrade Foundation, with donations also being welcomed at the Edinburgh event, which runs from 2-6pm.