CELEBRITY chef Mark Hix is giving his full backing to this year’s Lifeboat Week in Lyme Regis – by issuing a challenge to aspiring cooks.

Mr Hix, whose restaurant Hix Oyster and Fish House overlooks the town’s harbour, is organising a competition to produce the most inspiring crab recipes.

He said: “Seasonal crab provides a wonderful opportunity to be creative and I hope to encourage entrants to produce adventurous recipes.”

Entries in the first instance should be by email and recipes should be sent to jharris@hixfoodetc.co.uk The closing date is July 15. Mr Hix will then choose the best recipes and ask entrants to produce the dish for final judging at his restaurant at 3.30pm on Friday, July 29.

The prize will be dinner for two at the restaurant and a signed cook book.