LYME Regis chef Mark Hix is giving his full backing to this year’s Lifeboat Week – and issuing a challenge to aspiring cooks.

Mr Hix, whose restaurant Hix Oyster and Fish House overlooks the town’s harbour, is organising a competition to produce the most inspiring crab recipes.

“Seasonal crab provides a wonderful opportunity to be creative and I hope to encourage entrants to produce adventurous recipes,” he said.

Entries in the first instance should be sent by email to jharris@hixfoodetc.co.uk.

The closing date is July 15.

Mr Hix will then choose the best recipes and ask entrants to produce the dish for final judging at his restaurant at 3.30pm on Friday, July 29.

The prize for the winner will be dinner for two at the restaurant and a signed cook book.

Mr Hix said: “It should be delicious fun and with any luck I will make the presentation to the winner – in the presence of the mayor – on my new restaurant terrace.”

Mark is also planning a crab cooking demonstration on the harbour slipway at 4pm on July 23.