BURNHAM-ON-SEA schoolchildren will have the opportunity to create a dessert that will be sold at the award winning Bower Inn in East Bower.

The pub has set up a charity ‘design-a-dessert’ competition, which is a foodie contest aiming to raise money for Dogs 4 Adoption and the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT). 

Local children are invited to take part in the competition to create a traditional British pudding-based dish, including seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on fruit, with the winning dessert going on sale at The Bower Inn throughout August.

Peter Starling, who runs the pub alongside his wife Candida Leaver, said: “We’ve contacted the area’s primary and junior schools to invite pupils to submit their ideas, suggestions, drawings and photographs for a new dessert, which we can then create.

“The dish will be sold during our Tuesday and Wednesday lunch services during the school summer holidays, and proceeds from sales will be donated to the charities.”

Children can take part via their schools or individually, with the winner receiving a certificate and the chance to bring two adults and another child along to The Bower Inn to sample their winning dessert in July.

The competition is open to children aged from four to 12 years, and for further details, entry forms and rules, go to www.thebowerinn.co.uk.

The closing date for entries is 5pm on June 30, 2016.

Peter added: “We’re keen to collect as much money as possible for Dogs 4 Adoption and the NAWT this year as we have very close ties with both charities and applaud the work they do.

“Our two dogs, Ruby and Ben, were adopted from these charities too, and we are also now home to three cats from the Cat Protection League.”

Peter and Candida have spent the past six years refurbishing and revitalising The Bower Inn’s fortunes and have created a successful pub, restaurant and hotel.

Peter said: “We are committed to using, wherever possible, seasonal and local produce from the best local suppliers giving us great food for our diners and guests to enjoy.

“Our bees work hard to make honey, and we get our eggs from the farm next door.”