TRAFFIC police whisked their way to the aid of a stranded 12-year-old chef after finding her struggling along the hard shoulder of the A1 carrying a chicken, cutlery and kitchen utensils.

They discovered panic-stricken Nicola Ramsay rushing up the hard shoulder yesterday morning as they diverted traffic away from an overturned lorry, near Darlington.

But after finding out that the talented chef was on her way to a prestigious cooking competition, traffic officer John Hall agreed to give her a police escort to a lorry park, near Barton.

From there she was picked up by the competition organiser, who rushed her to Darlington in time for her to take part in the Young Chef of the Year, which is supported by The Northern Echo.

And thanks to the quick thinking of PC Hall, Nicola, from Little Crakehall, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, finished runner-up.

Nicola, who had just finished runner-up in the high-jump competition at Bedale High School, where she is a pupil, said it had been a hectic day.

She said: "We found out there would be a two-and-a-half hour delay, so we rang the organisers and asked if they could pick us up about two miles down the road.

"But luckily, the police car spotted us and rushed us along the hard shoulder, which was a real lifesaver."

And her grandmother, Margaret Jenkinson, from Scarborough, got through the traffic to make it to Darlington College of Technology in time to see Nicola pick up second place.

First place in the competition went to Hannah Fletcher, of Hummersknot Avenue, Darlington.

The 14-year-old took home a cheque for £100, as well as a silver plate to commemorate her success.

But Hannah, who attends Hummersknott School, said she had careers other than cooking in her sights.

She said: "Cooking is just a hobby. I like experimenting at home and cooking with my mum.

"But I'd much rather be an actress than a cook."

It is the first time the final for Young Chef of the Year has featured 12 finalists, from North Yorkshire, County Durham, and Darlington