Chris and Lorraine Lavery splashed out around £1,000 on a wedding cake based on St Margaret's Church in Bodelwyddan, which they now hope can be auctioned off and raise money for St Kentigern Hospice.

Chris, 46, said: "We always wanted an unusual cake and decided on a design which was the same as the Marble Church."

After extensive research the couple found an expert cakemaker who could realise their dream.

Chris said: "We agreed a price of £1,000 and were asked to take photographs of the church from every angle and he just got on with it."

Peter Roberts, of Liverpool-Based Centre Attraction, who in the past has created cake designs depicting Liverpool's world famous Liver Building, said the St Margaret's cake was among his most challenging projects, weighing in at 120 kilos, taking two months to complete and featuring stained glass windows and intricate miniature lighting system.

Lorraine, 47 said: "As soon as I saw it I realised there was no way I could cut it and planned to raffle it off for charity. It was amazing better than what we had dreamed of. When it was finished we showed it to a a few friends and family members who said it would be a shame to eat it and maybe we should think about auctioning it off for charity."

If the couple were going to fulfill their last minute plan they would have to come up with a low-cost alternative for their guests who would be expecting a slice of wedding cake at their reception at Oriel House Hotel, St Asaph. Chris said: "We went for fairy cakes. I think everyone was a bit dissappointed but they realised it was all in aid of a good cause."

Mr Roberts, explained that any prospective buyer would be interested in learning the fruit-based cake would have a shelf life of around 12 months, welcomed news that it was being auctioned for charity.

Raffle tickets can be purchased by calling Oriel House Hotel on 01745 582716 .