AN Auchinleck man’s tasty treats have gathered a worldwide internet following.

And it’s thanks to his daughter’s business brain.

Joe McGinn opened La Petit Patisserie in Ayr in January and has now scored a massive fan base from as far afield as New Zealand and Canada.

Over its first few weeks the business failed to live up to Joe’s expectations. That was until his daughter Rebecca, a business student at the University of the West of Scotland, lent a hand to promote it.

She turned to Reddit, an entertainment, social networking service and news website where members can post pictures, articles and comments.

Photos of Joe’s creamy creations made it to the front page of the site.

Just three weeks later Rebecca posted more photos of Joe’s cakes and within a single day managed to get over half a MILLION hits for the small Ayrshire patisserie.

More importantly, cyber strangers were quick to advise them and give tips to help business pick up.

Rebecca’s business strategy, combined with Joe’s artistic flare, has proven to be a winner and Joe is hoping that continues as he tries to make sure the bakery is a winner.

Joe was born and raised in Auchinleck and ran Joel’s restaurant on Coal Road.

A chef for most of his life, Joe decided it was time to follow his heart.

He said: “I love cooking. I’m 55 now so I’ve been doing this 35-years. I love my job and we opened back in January because I love the patisserie side of things.

“We’ve had emails from everywhere. California and Florida, Budapest, New Zealand and Canada. Who would have thought that?” Joe produces a range of products from cup cakes to birthday and wedding cakes and he has had requests from far and wide, but for the time being you’ll find him in the shop in Ayr.