YOUNG cook Vikki Pearcey Thorn managed to avoid a soggy bottom when she created the perfect beef Wellington to take the county round of South West Junior Young Chef 2017.

Vikki, 15, who is a pupil of Lavington School at Market Lavington, near Devizes, took on five other youngsters from schools across Wiltshire aged from 12 to 15 in the county final of the contest held at the Trowbridge campus of Wiltshire College.

Professional chefs Hywel Jones from Lucknam Park, at Colerne, Robert Potter from the Manor House Hotel at Castle Combe and college head chef Steve Lloyd judged the entries.

Lavington School assistant head Anna Woodman said: "The three judges were impressed at the standard of cooking from all contestants but said Vikki's delicious Beef Wellington with Blue Cheese sauce was a winner."

She will now receive mentoring from the judges before going on to the final at Ashburton Cookery School on October 14 where she will compete against winners from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

Judge Mr Lloyd said: “All of us agreed that Vikki’s dish demonstrated an advanced level of skill. She made a beautiful pastry and the Wellington was cooked perfectly with the beef slightly pink and succulent.

“Her blue cheese sauce was smooth and creamy with a good balance of cheese and her vegetables were extremely well cooked. A big well done to all six competitors for taking part."

Other competitors were Lewis King from Abbeyfield School, Chippenham, Rhys Griffith from Stonehenge School, Amesbury, Lauren Crocker and Megan Mason from Trafalgar School, Downton and Abby Lloyd from Nova Hreod Academy, Swindon