Members of the congregation at All Saints Parish Church came up with the idea of the Saints and Celebs Cookbook to raise money to develop the church buildings and provide better facilities.

Sybil Mussell and Dorothy Tinkler wrote to celebrities including Sir Cliff Richard, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron, author Jilly Cooper and chef Rick Stein to ask them for their favourite recipes, with an anecdote.

Dorothy said she was delighted with the replies.

She said: "Jilly Cooper's response was wonderful. She described when she used to come to the church and looked for an incredibly handsome man in the choir with golden curls who she used to gaze at.

"The response from the congregation has also been brilliant and we have managed to collect 97 recipes for the book."

The book has four sections – starters, mains, puddings and biscuits and cakes – and one of the entries is from ex-Tory leader and Richmond MP William Hague, who gives his favourite recipe for nettle soup.

Sir Cliff Richard provides a recipe for a Transkei Mud pudding with a warning that is needs to be served in small portions because of its richness.

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Dorothy added: "Legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird sent us a recipe for steak and kidney pie but said that his favourite dish was a Barnsley chop but only the chef at the Brooklands Hotel knows how to make it."

Other celebrities featured include Alan Titchmarsh, who used to be a choir boy in his youth, Michael Parkinson, John Craven, Terry Wogan, Jonathan Dimbleby, The Duchess of Devonshire, Gervaise Phinn and John Craven.

The book costs £5 and to obtain a copy, contact Sybil on 01943 602683 or Dorothy on 01943 601684.