When her five-year-old son started school, Melissa Potter started her own business.

Now food prepared in the Balcombe Kitchen by the former advertising sales executive and restaurateur is enjoyed in homes across north Sussex and Surrey.

Her range of pates, chilled meals, soups and side dishes are going down well at Balcombe Stores and an outlet at Tulley's Farm near East Grinstead.

Mrs Potter said: "I've been interested in food, cooking and entertaining for more than 20 years. I also ran a restaurant in Spain so when Tom started school, I wanted to be involved with food again.

"The trouble is there are plenty of well-established producers to compete with so I decided to create a range of special dishes, which can be bought from me or at the village store.

"I'm offering game, smoked salmon, olive and anchovy and a vegetarian, roasted red pepper pate.

"My main meals are braised pheasant with puy lentils, venison in smokey bacon and red wine and roast wild duck in mandarin sauce on flageolot beans.

"The service is aimed at those who value gourmet food but haven't the time to make it themselves."

Mrs Potter can be contacted on 01444 811767.