RED-HOT favourite Keith Roff has been crowned king of the curries at a New Forest Indian restaurant.

The 53-year-old conservatory fitter was the last man standing as five hardened curry connoisseurs were served the hottest possible dishes on a "chilli"

evening in Brockenhurst.

A night of hot competition at the village's Dynasty Indian Cuisine restaurant raised £1,300 for neighbouring Oakhaven Hospice Trust.

Diners packed the popular restaurant to raise cash for the charity but only a few were brave enough to take part in the highlight of the evening - the Dynasty Hot Curry Oakhaven Challenge.

Brockenhurst's Paul Griffin, 42, (known locally as Big Dave) was taking on fellow villager Alan Hendry, 66, Peter Slade, 49, from Gosport, Winchester's Andy Norman, 37, and Dibden's Keith Roff, 53, - who eventually lived up to the tongue-in-cheek rumour of having an asbestoslined mouth. Also on duty was local firefighter Andrew Colverson.

Strict judges relaxed the rules and allowed drinks on the table as round one started with a tindaloo curry.

The five curry competitors made light work of the mouthblistering dish but the sight of round two on the serving trolley was enough for Hendry. His sensible decision to retire left the other four facing a dish of phall topped with a fresh nagar chilli.

They all managed that but round three sorted the men from the boys. The Curry from Hell' consisted of extra hot phall with bird eye dried chillis, a nagar mixture and another fresh nagar chilli - and had to be eaten against the clock.

The quartet bravely tucked into the plates of fire but Roff 's burning ambition to win the inaugural competition saw him through.

"I was a bit warm, I will give them that," said Roff, a regular at Dynasty's.

"In fact it was the hottest I have ever had but I will be back to defend my title next year."

Oakhaven chief executive Andrew Ryde joined the evening but stayed clear of the hot curries.

He said: "It has been a tremendous evening. I like a mild curry but nothing quite as vicious as that.

"It has been a tremendous effort and thanks go to Dynasty for everything they have done."

Eastleigh musician Cris Gibbons supplied entertainment for the evening but turned down requests for Red Hot Chilli Peppers and music from the Spice Girls!