Residents of a new retirement village in East Hampshire have given a Masterchef critic his just desserts.

Jay Rayner served up a lesson in public speaking last Friday when he delivered a talk and Q&A to Blendworth Hills residents about his career as critic and eating well.

He also judged a dessert competition as Inspired Villages held a “Taste of Blendworth Hills” event to mark the official opening of the development near Horndean.

Mr Rayner was the special guest with the afternoon billed as a celebration of “local food, wine and community”.

The broadcaster then turned judge in a resident dessert competition with a sherry trifle by resident Fay and lemon meringue semifreddo by team member Liz earning a place on the village’s summer restaurant menu.

There was plenty to savour at the launch with guests tucking into a BBQ and wine tasting by Hampshire vineyard Hattingley Valley.

Amba Tremain provided live music as guests including Horndean Parish Council chairman, Cllr Andy Redding, explored the grounds and met the resident beekeeper.

“The day was about celebrating the people who made Blendworth Hills possible and doing it in a way that felt true to what this community stands for,” said Nick Edwards, CEO of Inspired Villages.

“Today was all about great food, great company and a genuine sense of occasion.”

Mr Edwards added: “We are incredibly proud of what has been created here and this launch felt like a fitting start to the next chapter."

Blendworth Hills is a net zero carbon retirement community on the edge of Horndean.

Set within scenic Hampshire countryside the village offers residents a heated indoor swimming pool, wellness areas, restaurant, café, bar, hairdressers, cinema and craft room, alongside 24-hour on-site staff support.

For more details look for Blendworth Hills on www.inspiredvillages.co.uk