SEVEN self-confessed "salad dodgers" from a pub near York have brought a taste of India to their local.

The seven, all regulars at the Roebuck Inn, in Appleton Roebuck, recently completed an Indian cookery course. They decided to show off their new culinary skills to 45 fellow Roebuck regulars by arranging an Indian night, and prepared a 16-dish menu, making every morsel themselves. Diners were charged £10 a head, with profits going to the pub's entertainment fund. A recipe book from the night's menu is being sold for £3 with proceeds going to the Martin House Children's Hospice, at Boston Spa.

"We call ourselves salad dodgers because of our somewhat rotund appearance," said one of the seven, Shaun Kilgallon, who is an NVQ trainer by day.

"It was quite an undertaking, cooking for that many after not having made an Indian meal before, but we all enjoyed it. It was brilliant fun."

Co-chef David Guest, by day a retired financial manager, added: "We all like a curry but had no idea how to make it, so we thought the best way to learn and have a laugh at the same time was by starting the course."

Also taking part were are Peter Mussen, a management consultant, Frank Kendall, a salesman, Geoff Ineson, a company director, Leo Divine, a mechanic, and Stuart Wharf, a retired construction firm boss.

They put the total raised for Martin House at about £250.

Updated: 15:27 Tuesday, April 16, 2002