TOP Bournemouth theatrical producer Michael Rose, who went from Bournemouth to West End and international success with shows like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is helping to stage a lavish charity event in aid of Wessex Heartbeat.

Rose has teamed up with his Chitty colleague, legendary James Bond producer Barbara Brocolli, to bring a team of celebrity chefs, TV and stage star Matthew Kelly and even the famous flying car to Bournemouth's Royal Bath Hotel.

The evening, which is sponsored by Tenon, will kick off with a Taittinger champagne reception.

With Matthew Kelly as host, celebrity chefs James Martin, Brian Turner, Toby Tobin and Paul Hollywood will conjure up a fabulous four-course gourmet meal accompanied by chosen wines on Friday, February 20.

But that's not all. Preparation of each course will have been pre-filmed and guests at the glittering £125-a-head bash will be able to see the food they are about to eat being discussed at the London Palladium with celebrities from Chitty like Russ Abbot, Wayne Sleep, Gary Wilmot, Victor Spinetti and Sandra Dickinson.

This is a one-off opportunity and a few places at this very special evening are still available. Tickets for tables of 10, inclusive of wine and the champagne reception, cost £1,250. Individual places may also be arranged.

Award-winning actor Kelly, who has recently starred in both Peter Pan at Poole and a triumphant London run of the latest stage version of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, will be a major attraction.

But for many the biggest star of the show willl be the extraordinary £750,000 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car which has been astonishing audiences in the West End

Wessex Heartbeat has so far raised over £8 million for the Wessex Cardiac Unit, helping it to achieve the status of one of the UK's most renowned heart centres for both adults and children - and by 2006 to be one of the UK's largest after the completion of a £53 million expansion programme.

For more information or to reserve a place contact Sara-Jane Tyrrell, Wessex Heartbeat's events manager, on 023 80696816, or e-mail sara@heartbeat.org.uk.