CELEBRITY chefs have sold off ten picnic dates in the Lake District to raise cash for a national children’s charity.

Six of the UK’s biggest-name chefs teamed up with the NSPCC to offer a week of picnic ‘experiences’ in beauty spots across Cumbria for sale to the highest bidders.

Peter Sidwell, star of ITV’s Britain’s Best Bakery and executive chef at Rheged, said: “We’ve got some excellent chefs on board and I’m sure our picnic guests will have a fantastic time. It will also be a great opportunity for us to showcase our excellent local produce in Cumbria”

The foodie feasts that were up for grabs will take place from June 16 to 22 as part of National Picnic Week and each will accommodate ten people.

Lucky guests will work up an appetite on a guided walk before enjoying a scrumptious smorgasbord of fancy food.

Award winning chef Steven Doherty of The First Floor Café in Windermere, Great British Bake Off winners Frances Quinn and John Waite, chocolatier Paul A Young and cake maker to the stars Juliet Sear are all involved.

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NSPCC fund-raising manager Kim Kimberlee-Smith said: “We are very excited about this event as it’s the first of its kind for the NSPCC.

“We hoped the auction would raise £10,000 – with every penny supporting our services for vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK.”

For more information about the fund-raiser or to find out how you could help the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk