A mad dash across the English Channel should make for a fine French feast as a group of Norfolk fundraisers prepare to celebrate this year's wine harvest.

A mad dash across the English Channel should make for a fine French feast as a group of Norfolk fundraisers prepare to celebrate this year's wine harvest.

Members of Swaffham and District Lions club will be heading for Calais on Friday, November 21, as they bid to be one of the first in the country to bring back bottles of the coveted Beaujolais Nouveau.

The team will also pick up a basket full of other goodies in preparation for a French themed charity evening to be held the next day.

Every year there is a race to be one of the first to taste the famous tipple and countries across the globe move logistical mountains to ship it in.

Robert Pollard, who is organising the trip for the Lions, said: “By law the wine cannot be released until November 20 and then it is then a race to get it fresh from the vine.

“I used to live in Japan and they make so much of it.

“Air France fly in the first case strapped in a first class seat and it is a huge event.”

The Beaujolais will take pride of place on the table during the Lion's fundraiser on Saturday, November 22.

There will be a buffet featuring French cheeses and pate, French music, a French farce and much more including belly dancing and Swaffham's very own X-factor star Cyril Grant.

Fancy dress is optional for the evening.

The event will be held at Holme Hale Village Hall and begins at 7.30pm.

For more information or for tickets call Robert Pollard on 01760 721902.