A DINNER held in Romsey Abbey made history and raised £35,000 for the victims of the Philippines typhoon.

The event, in aid of Action Against Hunger’s Philippines Appeal, was the first of its kind to take place within the abbey.

One hundred and sixty guests paid £85 per head to attend the gala evening, hosted by racing driver turned TV presenter Tiff Needell, who lives at East Dean.

The event began with a prayer by vicar of the abbey Rev Tim Sledge and featured music by the red-jacketed members of the London Male Voice Choir.

The dinner’s courses were prep-ared by Chris Rock from White Horse in Romsey, Luke Holder from Lime Wood at Lyndhurst, James Golding from The Pig at Brockenhurst, and Luke Matthews from Chewton Glen.

A charity auction followed the meal, during which diners paid further hefty sums including £1,725 for a stay at new hotel The Pig on the Beach, to be opened at Studland next summer, and £1,800 for a Great Gatsby-themed dinner for ten, in the winner’s home, to be prepared by Luke Matthews.