A CHEF who trained in the North-East was runner-up in a top cookery competition this week.

David Carr, who went to Yarm School, near Stockton, and trained at Darlington College of Technology, reached the regional heat of the Roux scholarship contest in Birmingham.

Watched by chefs including Rick Stein and Michel Roux, Mr Carr prepared a fish recipe.

But the chef, who works at Yorkshire Dales restaurant the Angel Inn, in Hetton, Wharfedale, missed out on the top prize, and a ticket through to the national finals, by just three points.

Mr Carr said: "I'm pleased to have come as a runner-up but obviously I'm disappointed I didn't make it through to the national finals.

"I am really unlucky - I have just missed out. But I'm entering again next year, so I hope to win then."

The winner of the national prize receives £2,500 from the Savoy Educational Trust and up to three months' training at a three-star Michelin restaurant.