SUCCESS tasted sweet for health care assistant Linda Norminton after she won today's annual ‘Pudding Club’ competition in her home village.

Villagers turned out in force in Hurworth-on-Tees, near Darlington, for the contest aimed at boosting community spirit and raising funds for the village hall.

And Linda, who works at Darlington Memorial Hospital, took first place with a delicious white chocolate cheesecake.

“It’s a nice surprise but it’s my signature dish, so I’m delighted,” said Linda, who was born and raised in the village. “The competition is such a lovely way to bring the village together, and it’s nice to see it so well supported.”

Each year, villagers are invited to enter a dessert, and then score six of the entries on presentation, taste, and overall quality. The “tasters” are asked to pay £5 towards Village Hall funds.

Bill Drumm, Village Hall bookings secretary and contest compere, said: “This is the third year we’ve done the Pudding Club and I’ve never seen the puddings cleared out so quickly, which suggests the quality is the best we’ve had. It’s an event that seems to be gaining in popularity.”

Second place went to Elspeth Wilkinson for her Amaretto Espresso Martini Mousse, while Anne Booth was third with her Lemon Delight.