A FORMER royal household staff member joined the team at a community bakery in Southampton this month.

Ally Molyneaux, who worked at Kensington Palace, has been appointed Front of House Assistant at CommuniBakes on St James Road, Shirley.

Director Tim Miller said: "We’re delighted to welcome Ally to the team. She brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise and her appointment has already enabled us to extend our opening hours to help serve the community better.

"We’re now open every day except Sunday and Monday."

Ally lived in Southampton in her younger years, and moved back to the area from Texas last summer.

She attended a Cordon Bleu accredited cookery school, where she achieved a Diploma, and then went straight into private cooking which led to her working for the Royal family at Kensington Palace.

Now, Ally will be serving customers and organising the front counter, taking orders and answering the phone.

She will also be assisting with baking, helping with the washing up and keeping the bakery clean and tidy.

Ally says: "CommuniBakes is a really special place. It offers residents a community hub while selling bread and cakes and is also raising money to help fund Communicare’s vital work to eradicate loneliness in our city.

"It is an amazing thing to be able to support a fantastic charity just by purchasing your weekly bread, a hot sausage roll for lunch or some scrumptious sweet treats. Communicare has such an important role in our community, providing real support for those who need it most."