Word is spreading that a much-loved TV host and actress will bring her latest series to a world-renowned village event this weekend.

Dame Penelope Keith will be visiting Coxheath as part of her new Channel 4 show, Village of the Year.

They will be in the village at the weekend, just in time for the village's busiest day of the year as it holds the 50th World Custard Pie Championships.

Teams from around the world have competed in the championships in the past, which sees groups of four lining up against each other to fling flans.

Dame Penelope will be accompanied by her team of judges, which is visiting villages across the UK to determine the winner of this brand new show.

The winning village will receive £10,000 prize money.

The championships will kick off at 2.30pm on Saturday, on the grounds at the village hall on Stockett Lane.

It's estimated that 2,000 pies will be thrown during the championships, which also include a Battle of the Sponges for younger attendees. Profits will go to Children in Need.

Mike Fitzgerald, organiser of the championships, said: "It's fantastic news that Coxheath has been shortlisted for village of the year, and even better that Penelope Keith and the programme team are coming to film the greatest battle of pie on Earth.

"Coxheath is a young village, formed in 1964, but with a special military history dating back before 1778 when 15,000 troops were on the Heath, and a community who have got on to grow their own facilities and leisure opportunity.

"This is well deserved and a credit to all involved."