A QUIRKY quiz hosted by a pantomime dame will see contestants taste a wide range of delicious pickles and chutneys and attempt to guess the ingredients.

In a Pickle will be hosted at the Minories Garden Cafe, in High Street, Colchester, on Friday, by zany celebrity home economist Dame Esther Colche.

Visitors will be asked to put their tastebuds to the test by sampling a range of cheeses, pickles, chutneys and preserves.

A panel of characters including Colonel Chutney, Sister Sauce and Peter Piper will offer up a description of each chutney's ingredients - but only one is being truthful.

Competitors must decide which description is correct.

Dame Esther Colche said: "This is a wonderful event supporting my very favourite charities - Age Concern and the Dacon Trust.

"There will be chutneys and pickles of all varieties to tantalise the tastebuds, as well as cheese and wine and some gin tasting too.

"I will be hosting, using my expertise together with a panel of experts."

Proceeds from the event, which will run from 6pm to 8.30pm will go to Age Concern, a charity supporting the older generation, and the Dacon Trust, which enables adults with learning disabilities to gain work experience.

Tickets are £7.50 and available from Level Best Café, in Culver Street, from the Batte-Lay Tearoom, in the Minories, or by sending your order to panto@ageconcerncolchester.org.uk.