'We built a replica York Minster from gingerbread'

Two American women were so inspired by York Minster that they have made a replica model of the cathedral out of gingerbread.

Erin Hamer, 20, studied at university in the city and and had a part-time job in a cafe, where she first became fascinated with the medieval building.

The Pennsylvanian recruited her mother to bake the 2ft (0.6m) sweet creation and donate it to a retirement home for the elderly as part of its Christmas decorations.

The pair said they were unsure what the model's fate would be now - as it is past its best for human consumption.

Erin and her mother Julie are experienced gingerbread modellers, having made castles, barns, churches, the Empire State Building, the Orchard House from the novel Little Women, and a Christmas pyramid based on German markets as past projects.

Julie, 53, said the 60-piece structure was made out of pure sugar, molasses and flour.

"It is a building that resembles beauty and decades of worship to God. Everything is edible, it's really a sweet treat, but it's built memories."

Her daughter sketched out the design before they made a pattern out of paper.

"From beginning to end we had it done in a week, working at night a few hours here a few hours there, then one full day of baking."

Erin added: "It's been a fun surprise to see that other people are enjoying it.

"It's something so simple, but it genuinely brings people together, brings a smile and brings some joy which is sort of the goal."

But their showstopper could meet a sticky end if they choose to repeat a destructive tradition.

Julie added: "Each year as a tradition we would take turns with the meat mallet and smash up our models, but it got so messy we decided to find creative ways to destroy them."

The mother and daughter pointed out that the retirement village's residents would "all be at the dentist" if they ate the sugar-laden showpiece.

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