BBC South Today presenter Sally Taylor cooked up a treat for residents at a Southampton hostel by helping to build a barbecue.

The popular newsreader joined other celebrities to encourage people to give their spare time to voluntary projects in the community. Sally was joined by former Level 42 singer Mark King in building the barbecue at the St James' Hostel for the homeless.

As the Daily Echo reported this week, hunky pop singer Dane Bowers joined volunteers at the city general hospital's League of Friends to push refreshment trolleys around the wards.

The stars' efforts, which contributed to TimeBank, a national charity, were shown on BBC1 last night.

Southampton General Hospital staff are hoping their visit from Bowers will bring in extra volunteers.

Hospital spokeswoman Marilyn Kay said: "Lots of volunteers do all sorts of things in this hospital and the whole purpose of this event was to encourage people to give some of their time.

"Dane met young and old patients as well as staff and it was very successful. We are hoping his visit will effectively boost volunteering at the hospital."

For more details about voluntary work, call the hospital's volunteers co-ordinator June Holloway on 023 8079 6062.