Vic Reeves gets his just desserts

Comedian and TV personality Vic Reeves paid a visit to the Travelling Man pub in West Boldon, Tyne And Wear, to help cook lunch.

He gave head chef Brett Walker and hospitality and catering apprentice Dan Sullivan a helping hand to mark the celebrations for the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) Apprenticeship Week, which ends today.

The week - the first ever national week dedicated to apprentices - aims to highlight the success of apprenticeships and the benefits of them to businesses.

Reeves, himself a former engineering apprentice, praised the pub for nurturing young talent. He said: "The Travelling Man and Dan are great ambassadors for apprenticeships and show they can be a stepping stone to a fulfilling and creative career. Skills development is vital whatever career you choose."

Eighteen year-old Dan works at the pub and studies NVQ Level 2 food preparation and cooking at South Tyneside College one day a week.

"I like learning by doing so an apprenticeship is the ideal option for me when it comes to learning the hospitality and culinary trade," he said.

The leisure industry has previously been criticised for not investing enough in developing staff's potential.