Thousands of pounds was been raised for the journalists' charity the Newspaper Press Fund at a celebrity lunch at which Richard Whiteley was the guest speaker.

More than 250 people attended the event, which was organised by the West Midlands district of the charity, at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens last Friday.

It is estimated that around £10,000 was raised.

Countdown frontman Richard entertained guests with tales of his life in Yorkshire and his career as a journalist and television presenter, and also judged an 'outlandish tie' competition.

He chose freelance photographer Des Gershon as the winner, who was presented with a box of ten silk ties, and after taking one for himself he donated the rest back which were then auctioned for £250.

A number of other prizes were also raffled off, with the top prize of two Continental Airlines club class tickets to New York going to Jaguar press and PR director Colin Cook.