A book featuring the favourite teatime treats of 100 of the country's top chefs was launched in aid of the appeal.

Head chef at Windermere's Miller Howe Hotel and Restaurant, Jamie Roberts, joined fellow kitchen wizards for a record-breaking book signing of This is my FavouriteThe BBC Children in Need Recipe Book .

The 26-year-old rubbed shoulders with the likes of Gary Rhodes, Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsay at the event, where each of the culinary masters was challenged to arrive in style.

Last month, The Westmorland Gazette asked readers for imaginative ideas on how Mr Roberts could travel to London's Millennium Hotel. After weeks of wondering how best to represent his Lake District origins, he shunned horseback - and fell foul of health and safety rules with a suggestion to arrive with a flock of sheep - and travelled by a vintage soft-top Land Rover.

"We went for reliability, quality and longevity,' said Mr Roberts.

"Miller Howe is now in its 36th year so we are no flash in the pan, which can be the fate of many new restaurants today.

"The book is a lot of fun for the serious purpose of raising cash for Children in Need."

A film of the signing will be sent to the Guinness Book of Records for verification of the largest simultaneous signing of a book, which is available for £9.99 from most bookshops or by visiting www.thisismyfavourite.co.uk.