REGULARS at a village pub with a taste for fundraising were hot off their marks for a chilli cook off.

A total of 18 contestants took part in the competition at the Kings Arm's, All Cannings, to raise money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance on Saturday.

Landlady Virginia Long was delighted with the turn out and the quality of cooking in the garden of the pub which is best known for its Rock Against Cancer charity festival held each summer.

But on Saturday instead of rock legends taking centre stage it was chilli cooks of all ages. She said: "We had a lovely sunny day which was great as they started cooking from 10am and prizegiving did not finish until 3pm."

Ms Long said a total of £165 was raised for the air ambulance by people paying to £2.50 to taste the creations and then vote for their favourite.

She said: "The amazing attention to detail and inventiveness in the way the contestants displayed their work this year was the best ever. Competition is very high, especially between contestants that have been doing this for a number of years now."

To add extra spice to the contest a new informal prize judged by Ms Long was introduced for chillies made at home rather than at the pub on the day. She said: "They were all very inventive. Some of the ones I remember this year was the chilli gin and tonic lemonade, chilli doughnuts, chilli bread and jam and chilli and cinnamon buns."

But the prize for the best overall chilli went to Joe Bunce while Lucy Bushby won the prize for the best chilli made by an under 16-year-old. They both received a chef's hat and a gold medal. Louise Richards food was named the most family friendly and Stuart Beale's was the hottest.