A COOKERY course at a Darlington college has led to some heated competition among a husband and wife.

Jackie and Chris Rayner now try to curry favour with their family by preparing culinary delights with their new-found skills, gained on an Indian cookery course at the technology college.

"Every week we go home and have a cook-off for my parents, who have to judge who makes the best curry," said Mrs Rayner, of Darlington.

"So far I'm 3-2 up," said Mr Rayner, who had never cooked before starting the Teesside Regional Open College Network course ten weeks ago.

"I have always been into curry, but now I'm really into cooking and have bought all the gear."

To mark the final session the students prepared an Indian feast for about 30 friends.