'A thousand memories' from being on Bake Off - Saku Chandrasekara

People told her that she brought out presenter Paul Hollywood's "warm and sensitive side", she said

Great British Bake Off contestant Saku Chandrasekara says she has made "a thousand memories" from her time on the series and vows to continue baking.

She was eliminated from Tuesday night's episode after the bakers were challenged with making creme caramels and orange and ginger treacle puddings.

Ms Chandrasekara, from Herefordshire, said she had had an amazing time and she respected the judges' decision.

She was also pleased to have "brought out Paul's warm and sensitive side".

Baking fans enjoyed watching her cook, as well as her receiving hugs from the presenters, throwing lemons with Noel Fielding and producing some incredible bakes.

Watching her elimination on Tuesday evening was "sad", she told BBC Hereford and Worcester, as "it brought it all back" as the competition was filmed in the summer.

"Still it's fresh in my memory, going through all this," she said.

"It is a little sad and I felt a little down, but receiving the love and support across the world - goodness gracious, I cannot believe that.

"I'm so happy for that."

• Hereford's Saku: the people's champion

She said she had been surprised by the wealth of positive reaction on social media.

"I've made thousands of lovely memories and seeing the love and support now, what else can I ask [for]," she said.

She has since returned to work, but said she would continue baking.

"I take this as just the beginning of my baking career, or my baking life," she said.

"I had a good start. Had the love and support. I learnt a lot. Gained much, much knowledge and confidence.

"Now I will create more recipes and continue baking [and] I will include all Sri Lankan flavours into my baking - I will carry on. I'm not going to stop."

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