DAME Vera Lynn celebrated her 99th birthday with an eye-catching replica of one of her most famous songs.

Burgess Hill baker Mia Taggart came up with an extra special cake in the shape of the White Cliffs of Dover.

Dame Vera, known as the Forces Sweetheart, immortalised the south coast with the song, which she performed to troops during the Second World War.

The singer marked her birthday with a small, private gathering at her home in Ditchling.

Previous celebrity bakes by Ms Taggart, a former nutritionist who taught herself sugar craft, include the entire Strictly Come Dancing judging panel moulded in sugar for Hove-based Zoe Ball.

Ms Taggart said: “Dame Vera is so strongly associated with the White Cliffs of Dover that once I had the image in my mind, nothing else would do.

“Even though Dame Vera isn’t of my generation, of course, everyone knows her and it was just such a huge privilege to be asked to create a surprise cake for her birthday.

“For me, it’s one of the most memorable and it’s definitely the one my grandmother and mum are most proud of.”