A CHEF has helped raise more than £600 for a hospice.

Matthew Brown, who works in the cafe at Stockton's Arc arts centre, raised £640 for the Butterwick Hospice by holding a dinner at the Masham pub, in Hartburn village, on September 18.

Culinary enthusiasts who had attended his cooking class, Matty's Kitchen, prepared the meals and served them to 40 guests.

Mr Brown said: "My students had progressed so far, I wanted to give them a challenge. My brother-in-law runs the Masham pub and suggested I bring my students to test out the new kitchen.

"We decided to lay on a three-course meal, cooked by them, for their family and friends at £20-a-head and donate the money to charity.

"It took three months to plan, but the end result was fantastic.

"The students were as good as some chefs I have worked with. It was a real feel-good night and we have already sent the cheque off to the Butterwick."

Mr Brown expressed his thanks to John Eddy at the Masham for giving him and his students the use of his pub for the evening.