FARM holiday providers came up with the right recipe when raising funds for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance service.

The ladies from the Yorkshire branch of Farm Stay UK published a recipe book two years ago to celebrate the organisations 30th anniversary.

They printed 500 copies but it proved so popular that more than 3,500 have now been sold and, through other fund-raising events involving farmhouse fayre they have now handed over a cheque for £12,000 to the air ambulance service.

Yorkshire Farm Stay chairman Lisa Preston, of Pickersgill Manor Farm, Silsden Moor, said: "We originally set a fund-raising target of £10,000 and were over the moon when the final figure came in at £12,000. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has bought the recipe book and to all who have attended, supported and sponsored our fund-raising functions.

"Of course, all this would not have been possible without the superb efforts of our Yorkshire ladies, who have so willingly given of their time to help benefit such a worthy cause."

Helen Gowans, regional fundraiser North for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "We are delighted to receive such a fantastic donation from the Yorkshire Farm Stay ladies. The recipe book is fabulous, and this money will be put to good use keeping our two Yorkshire Air Ambulances maintained and in the air.

"To keep providing our life-saving service we need to raise £12,000 every single day, which is the equivalent of £4.4m a year.

"Farmers are particularly supportive of our cause as they are often working alone in remote locations, and can rely on our service should the worst happen. It is a real pleasure to see how much can be raised from a brilliant idea, homely hospitality and wonderful team spirit."