FORMER MP Gyles Brandreth entertained hundreds of women gathered at Weymouth Pavilion yesterday.

His speech to a packed meeting of the Dorset Federation of Women's Institutes was met with hoots of laughter from the audience.

As guest speaker, he amused WI members with tales of his childhood holidays in Dorset and stories from his new book about the Queen and Prince Philip's relationship.

He told the Echo: "I know Dorset well.

"I love Weymouth and have happy memories of being here.

"It is a beautiful part of the world. My father was brought up in Poole and I used to come here as a child."

Mr Brandreth, who dazzled viewers of television programme Countdown with his woolly jumpers in the 1980s, is a veteran speaker at WI meetings.

He spoke about the annual WI conference four years ago when members slow-hand-clapped and booed Tony Blair.

"I was the next speaker after him.

"It was a very memorable day and Tony didn't quite get it right.

"But I have spoken to many WIs. I am a WI groupie and consider myself almost an honorary member."

Mr Brandreth said he wrote the book Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage after building up a close relationship with Prince Philip over the last 25 years.

Dorset WI member Mo Ryde said: "It was absolutely great to have Gyles come and speak to us.

"He is a lovely man and really made us laugh."