Richard Whiteley will be the guest speaker at a celebrity lunch organised by the West Midlands district of the Newspaper Press Fund.

Best-known as the frontman of Channel 4's longest running quiz show Countdown, he will entertain guests with tales of his life as a journalist and television presenter at the event next month.

Long before Countdown, Richard began his career in daily newspapers - as a delivery boy. He also worked for ITN and fronted Yorkshire Television's Calendar news programme for more than 20 years.

The celebrity lunch is one of two fundraising events organised by the West Midlands district of the fund each year, and all proceeds will boost its coffers.

Tickets for the latest event, which will be at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens on March 26, are £35 per person and include a drinks reception.

There will also be a raffle with prizes including airline tickets, a weekend break and a box at Aston Villa.

To book, contact committee member Val Deeley on 01562 883290.