HOUSEWIVES? green-fingered favourite Alan Titchmarsh spent an enjoyable evening charming CHICKS recently.

The Ground Force presenter turned saucy novelist is patron of Milton Abbot charity CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) and talked for two hours at Sherborne School for Girls in Dorset.

In his first event for the charity, Alan charmed the 600-strong audience as he told stories about his life as a TV gardener and Jilly Cooper rival while raising £5,000 for the charity.

Tracy Izod, senior fundraiser at CHICKS, said: ?Alan was every bit as charming as his TV persona and it was a pleasure to spend the evening with him. Patrons are vital to the work of our charity and this is the first thing Alan has hosted for us - and may it be the first of many.?

The charity even recruited some volunteers for the Autumn months at the evening, but still need more. Anyone over the age of 18, willing to spend a week with CHICKS should contact Pam Wakeling on 01822 870692.