AN 18-YEAR-OLD girl battling a chronic illness is wowing people with her superb baking business.

Alice Wyatt set up Lally Bakes just a few months ago but is already inundated with requests and showcases her work at fayres.

(Image: Alice Wyatt)

She has beaten the odds and people’s expectations of her after being diagnosed with chronic fatigue, and other debilitating illnesses, at 11-years-old.

Throughout school and college, Alice’s attendance was between 19 and 40 per cent due to her illness.

“I started college and did health and social care but had to do a lower level, despite my grades being high enough, because of my illness,” said Alice.

“So I did a level two and completed that but then they wouldn’t let me stay on the next year because I’m not deemed medically fit.”

Alice said she also struggled with support throughout her GCSEs and completed most of them ‘off her own back’.

(Image: Alice Wyatt)

She said she has been interested in baking her whole life and has made birthday cakes for friends and family.

After finishing college in May, Alice started her business, Lally Bakes, named after a nickname used by her family.

“It’s been my nickname for years but when my sister was little, she couldn’t pronounce my name properly so she called me Lally and it stayed with me.”

(Image: Alice Wyatt)

She added that her baking can work around her illness, choosing hours that suit her.

“I really enjoy what I do and I love doing it because I can fit it around me.

“If I don’t feel like I can do it, then I can always sorry I can’t do that, because there’s no set routine.”

Alice most enjoys making big celebration cakes but said customers love her cookie pie.

She also makes brownies, cheesecakes, cookies and most other bakes, said Alice.

“I’ve branched out and started doing a few fayres, like Canford School fayre.

“It gets a bit lonely being on my own all the time so it’s quite nice that I’ve been able to go to different places.”

Alice’s dream is to one day own a horsebox where she can sell her cakes with coffee.

Orders and requests can be made on Alice’s Facebook page, Lally Bakes.