A COOKERY teacher is seeking support to bring her community culinary crusade to the boil.

Lorna Prasad takes her "Hands-on Cookery Workshop" to schools, village halls and community centres in the Durham area.

But she is seeking funding to develop a permanent base in the city, to create a kitchen classroom from which the charity can run courses.

Ms Prasad gave up her job as a food technologist to set up Hands-on Cookery, and she gives classes to groups ranging from school pupils, Age Concern and university students, to female inmates at Low Newton Prison, Durham.

She has her sights on a community building beside St Margaret's Church, off Crossgate, Durham, but she estimates it will take £77,000 to fit out the kitchen and to adapt the building.

Having exhausted various avenues for funds, she is hoping for help from the Flourishing Communities fund, from Durham City Council.

Applicants need to prove demand for their scheme, so she is seeking support from the community.

"I know there is a demand out there, but I need to show local people are behind the project. I'm doing a letter and a mail-shot to every business, charity, and groups such as slimming clubs to let them know what we're doing, but I need letters of support. Without them, I won't be able to get the necessary funding.

"Ideally, with the right funding, I can make it a kitchen suitable for the disabled, for use by children, cookery clubs and any other groups."

Letters of support can be sent to Hands-on Cookery Workshop, care of 35 Scripton Gill, Brandon, Durham, DH7 8BQ.

Ms Prasad can be contacted on (07739) 384959.