A Thames Ditton nursery chef has been named as a finalist in a national dessert competition.

Clare Skeggs, 39, who works at Busy Bees in Mercer Close, was chosen as one of 16 finalists in the scrumptious starters and delicious desserts competition, after creating a dish called banana snow.

The dish, a yoghurt, banana and cream mousse pudding, was created after a food delivery was late after a bank holiday and she had to come up with a quick idea for a dessert for the children at the nursery.

Ms Skeggs, who has worked at the nursery for two years, said: "When I first let the children taste it they absolutely loved it, so when this competition came up we knew it was something we had to enter.

"It is such an easy dish to make but one I am very proud of, and we all hope we will win."

The competition, now in its second year, encourages nursery chefs to create a starter or dessert made from fresh and healthy ingredients and will be used in the winter menu.

The final takes place in Halifax on Thursday, July 17.