A CHARITY hopes to score big when it comes to its traditional Christmas Day dinner at Topsham Rugby Club thanks to Exeter Chiefs’ head chef.

Paul Burns, from the Guiness Premiership team, is preparing the vegetables for the Estuary League of Friends’ annual Christmas Day lunch.

More than 80 local people, who would otherwise spend the big day on their own and possibly without any hot food, are expected to attend the event, organised by the Topsham charity.

A spokesperson for the Estuary League of Friends said: “Paul is used to preparing lunch for hundreds of guests at the club’s sporting and corporate events but this is his first time working for the ELof.”

Rachel Gilpin, chief executive of the charity, said: “The Estuary Christmas lunch is now a traditional part of the festive calendar for the scores of people who attend.

“It’s a big event to organise, but it’s one of the highlights of the year for those who come along. There’s a real reward in seeing the delight on the faces of our guests on the day.”