THE ARRIVAL of sizzling temperatures in Worcestershire this week proved a timely reminder for people to dust off their barbecues and turn their thoughts to a bit of al fresco cooking and dining.

Next week (from Monday May 29 to Sunday June 4) is the 21st national BBQ Week, which has been used to promote and encourage more outdoor grilling over charcoal in private gardens, pubs, hotels and public open spaces.

And to mark the occasion a Worcestershire DIY shop, with the help of two local food retailers, will be charring those sausages and burgers in aid of a local charity.

Staff from Broad Street DIY in Bromsgrove will be dressing up as barbecue food characters and turning up the heat to serve burgers, hot dogs and corn cobs in the shop’s outdoor landscaping yard, on Factory Lane.

The barbecue will be held on Saturday June 3 between 1pm and 3pm and aims to raise vital funds for the Basement Project - a drop in centre and floating support for young people in and around North Worcestershire who are homeless or facing homelessness.

Lisa Childs, a director at Broad Street DIY, said: “We are great advocates of al fresco dining and have supported national BBQ Week for the past few years. However, this is our first barbecue event and we hope the local community will show its support by popping along to buy a burger, hot dog or corn on the cob, to help us raise money for the Basement Project.”