Dad Michael is messing down the drains as usual. Brother Gary is drinking beer, as usual, and sister Tricia has her head in the latest shopping catalogue.

It is a snapshot of the life of the Cartwright family, from Telford, and has been lovingly sculpted by Shropshire carpenter son, David.

But its not a wooden model – instead David showed off his secret culinary skills as he spent three months behind closed kitchen doors cooking up the masterpiece.

The surprise cake went on show at mum Joyce and dad Michael’s 50th wedding anniversary in Muxton and wowed guests.

Joyce said she was “amazed” at her son’s hidden skills and revealed it was one of the first cakes he had ever made.

“We knew he was making a cake because he asked to borrow my cake tin but we just thought it would be a traditional cake,” she said.

“We were absolutely gobsmacked when we saw it, it was absolutely amazing.

“It was the real focal point of the evening, the guests and even the bar staff couldn’t get over it.

“The only shame was that we had to cut it really,” she added.

Father-of-three David, from Bratton, Telford, said it was only the second cake he had ever made and the first he had made for more than six years.

“I have always loved making things and I enjoy cooking,” he said.

The 45-year-old said: “The principle of making something is the same whether it is wood or cakes, although it did take me a long time with practising beforehand.

“I was really pleased with the end result, I think mum and dad were expecting a traditional cake but I wanted to do something different and make a funny one.”

It could be the first of many now though following the reaction to it at the anniversary – dad Michael and sister Tricia have already lodged orders for David to make their birthday cakes later this month.

“It looks like it is going to be tradition now for me to make the family cakes,” David said. “I don’t mind though, I really enjoyed making it.”