A star of stage and screen has joined the call for entries to KM Kent Cooks - the annual cookery contest for schools and families.

Singer and television presenter Cheryl Baker is backing the competition which aims to develop a passion for cooking and healthy eating among Kent’s youngsters.

She said: “Kent Cooks provides a wonderful opportunity for young people and families to get creative in the kitchen and show off their cooking creations to the world. I love that every dish entered becomes an online recipe page and that there is a live cook-off staged for finalists to prepare their food for a panel of judges.”

Cheryl, who shot to fame with the pop group Bucks Fizz, has also presented her own cookery series Eggs N Baker and starred in Celebrity Masterchef. She is an Honorary Patron of the KM Charity Team which organises the Kent Cooks contest.

To enter, youngsters must create and prepare a tasty and wholesome meal to a fixed budget and upload their recipe details (including a photograph of the dish) to www.kentcooks.co.uk.

The contest is open to children and teenagers aged six to 19 years and the three competition categories are Primary School Pupil, Secondary School Pupil and Families (for adult and child pairings). Entries will be judged on presentation, creativity, healthy ingredients and knowledge of locally grown Kentish produce.

The most impressive recipes will earn pupils their places in an exciting Masterchef-style final at East Kent College. Finalists will prepare their menus in a professional kitchen for a panel of judges in a bid to win goody bags and a share of £500.

Simon Dolby from Kent Cooks said: "This competition is a great way to encourage children with an interest in cookery and help them to learn about nutrition and healthy living."

For more information, including to request leaflets or to enter, visit www.kentcooks.co.uk. The deadline for entries is midnight on Tuesday, November 3.