Telford cake decorating event banned from using Olympic theme

Cake decorators from across the world due in Telford next summer for the International Sugarcraft Exhibition have been banned from having an Olympic theme.

The British Sugarcraft Guild wanted to celebrate London 2012 by having a games theme for the event. But the International Olympic Committee banned them from copying any of its official symbols, including the five rings.

Organisers of the 7th International Sugarcraft Exhibition, at Telford International Centre in May, have been told they could face an injunction or substantial compensation if anyone ignores the copyright warning.

Jan Thorpe, chairman of the judges' committee, said: "There is no commercial gain whatsoever from this.

"We were simply doing an Olympic display during the Olympic year in sugar.

"But we have been told only sponsors can use the official symbols."

After months of careful planning, the guild must now find an alternative theme.

The British Sugarcraft Guild alerted its members to the news of the Olympics ban in its September newsletter.

The report said: "It has been brought to the attention of the National Committee that there might be a problem with the theme chosen for the Branch Projects as set out in our International Exhibition Sched- ule. Following through on this information the National Committee contacted the Olympic Committee seeking clarification.

"It was confirmed that there is a problem and unfortunately permission for the use of any or all these symbols was refused.

"We very much regret that this situation has arisen."

By Paul Mannion