QUEEN of the brownies Jodie Francis is to open her first shop on Saturday and is raising money for a hospital fund close to her heart.

Ms Francis, 26, who has grown a huge number of fans for her own versions of the gooey cakes is to open The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen at Poulshot Lodge Farm, Poulshot.

She will host a raffle to raise money for the Salisbury Hospital Stars appeal after it supported friends Dan Sloan and Lucy Steele when their baby Nellie was born eight weeks prematurely weighing just 2lbs 6ozs.

Plumber Mr Sloan and his partner Lucy, who live in Potterne, are also organising other fund raising events this year to raise money for the Salisbury Hospital neo-natal unit.

He said: "They were brilliant to us and gave Nellie amazing care. Nellie is now one and is a normal weight and has just started walking. We can't thank them enough.

"We are grateful to Jodie for hosting the raffle. Her brownies are amazing. We had a special one as a birthday cake for Nellie."

Ms Francis, began baking and selling brownies in 2013 and set up The Gourmet Brownie Kitchen, supplying other businesses and selling at food fairs.

She is now excited to be opening her first shop.

She said: "We have had really generous raffle donations from local businesses whom we would like to thank."