LAST week saw nearly 100 people turn out to support the launch of a new Hampshire cookbook raising £3,000 for charity in the process.

Meats, Eats, Drinks and Leaves, written by Penny Ericson, is a celebration of Hampshire produce and features some of the most revered chefs from restaurants and pubs alike.

Promoting the dishes of Fran Joyce, head chef at The Thomas Lord in West Meon who features in the book, a special charity dinner was hosted by Ms Ericson and her husband, Simon Hawkins, along with the help of the pub staff.

The four-course-meal drew diners in from far and wide on Wednesday to raise money for the Pelican Cancer Foundation.

Over £3,000 was raised for the charity as people indulged in dishes from the summer menu, including venison and black pudding scotch egg, Portland crab, and belly and fillet of pork.

Clare Winterbottom, manager at The Thomas Lord, said: “We were overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone who attended. We have a fantastic group of locals and want to thank them and all the businesses who donated prizes (Fran is very happy with his Tom Watson Wedge) for making it such a success.

“We were so proud to be asked to be part of the Meats, Eats, Drinks and Leaves project, which both champions Hampshire produce and raises money for a cause close to our hearts and urge anyone who hasn’t picked up a copy of the book to snap one up now.”

Sarah Crane, chief executive of the Pelican Cancer Foundation, said: “On behalf of everyone at The Pelican Cancer Foundation I want to say a huge thank you to The Thomas Lord and all its locals who came out and supported the event. It is thanks to the generosity of people like this that we are able to continue our work, helping cancer patients live better for longer by investing in vital research aimed at extending and improving patients’ lives today.”