SIXTEEN-STONE chef Graham Smith dressed as famous cookery writer Mrs Beeton this week to prepare lunch for 40 pensioners.

Mr Smith wore an outsize white apron and mop cap, both made by his wife, Dawn, to cook the meal for Day Club members in a church hall at Barnard Castle, County Durham.

Eight luncheon clubs in the area are taking part in a Victorian theme week, so Mr Smith, who lives in Cockfield, decided to get into the spirit.

He said: "I looked at a photograph of Mrs Beeton and tried to make myself look like her."

He also used a recipe from a Mrs Beeton book for the lunch - cockerel and vegetable soup, lamb with mint jus, carrots, cabbage, swede and mashed potatoes, creamed rice pudding with sultanas and blackcurrant jam.

Kay Elliott was given a prize for the club member wearing the best Victorian costume.

Anne Beckett-Wise, the clubs' co-ordinator, said: "All the members enjoy their lunches every week, but they love it even more when we have special events like this."

Day clubs at Gainford, Cotherstone, Middleton, Mickleton, Staindrop, Woodland and Winston are also taking part in the week.