A Friends star is set to host a ‘tasty’ night for all the foodies of Richmond to celebrate local produce and raise money for charity this summer.

Helen Baxendale, best known for her role in Friends and Cold Feet, will be attending the Taste of Richmond organised by the Environment Trust at Richmond Yacht club on Eel Pie Island on July 15.

Organised to raise awareness of the charity, the event will also be celebrating local produce and growers with a bespoke tasting menu put together by local chef Mikala McCormick and the team behind R&H café on Richmond Hill.

Maeve Adams, the trust’s event manager, said: “It is the first time we are holding this type of event but we are really excited because food tasting events seem so popular in London and we thought it was a great way to raise awareness of the charity whilst celebrating the local community.

“It will be all about inspiring people to love their local producers and celebrate everything that is good and positive about our community.”

Guests will enjoy dining on the idyllic, water-front venue whilst enjoying an evening filled with exotic dishes - made-up of locally sourced ingredients, live music from a skifflers band and a buzzing bar.

“The idea is to have a collection of tasting-style dishes which are put together by our lovely chefs from ingredients that has either been donated or sourced from local producers and companies,” added Ms Adams.

“Helen, who is our patron, will be announcing each dish when it comes out and also where the ingredients has come from and we are really excited to have her with us.

“Hopefully it will be a great night and have a great community spirit because that is what we are trying to achieve to, as well as raise money to help us continue with our conservation project.”

A raffle will be running throughout the night to help encourage guests to part with their cash for a good cause and everyone will receive a gift bag packed full of freebies from local businesses.

Ms Baxendale said: “This area is such an inspiring part of the world and I am very proud to be part of a cause that treasures it.

"And I’m really looking forward to eating beautiful food in a beautiful setting.”

For tickets information and information on the environment trust visit http://www.environmenttrust.co.uk/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=172