FAMOUS journalist Roger Cook will be the guest of honour at the launch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Ilkley Group.

The event will allow guests the opportunity to put their questions to one of television's most famous investigative journalists and the presenter of The Cook Report.

The new Ilkley Group's chairman, Lynn Bye, said: "We wanted to launch with a special event and Roger very kindly agreed to do this because he is a supporter of the NSPCC. We are very lucky to have him as he rarely appears publicly.

"He has had a fascinating career as a journalist and The Cook Report has been instrumental in uncovering some dreadful crimes against children."

The launch coincides with Children's Day on May 9, which is part of the NSPCC's Full Stop campaign, aimed at raising the awareness and understanding of child abuse.

The essence of the campaign is to change the way people treat children and to create a groundswell of public opinion so moved that the horrific crimes against children stop.

'An Evening with Roger Cook' is being held at Negreski's Restaurant, New Brook Street, and will included dinner and dancing to the Dave Challis Band and follows the enormous success of the NSPCC Valentine's Ball, which was organised by the NSPCC's Craven Group.

The Ball which raised a colossal £11,000 took a lot of hard work and planning, so next year the Ilkley and Craven groups have decided to share the burden of organising this event.

Ms Bye said: "We are planning to put on several other large-scale fundraising events over the next 12 months and our next one will be a family barbecue and fun day during the summer.

"The emphasis is on people having fun whilst raising funds for this vital charity."

The NSPCC is the UK's leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children. It is dependent on donations for 86 per cent of its income. According to the new Ilkley group, all the money raised locally will be spent on local services for children.

New committee members are welcome and anyone interested in attending future fundraising activities or supporting the NSPCC in other ways should contact Ms Bye on 07970 102727.

Tickets are still available for 'An Evening With Roger Cook' from Negreski's Restaurant, but they are being bought up at a rapid rate.