Two television interviewers quizzed each other to raise cash for the Swale Youth Development Fund.

Veteran newscaster Sir Martyn Lewis and Sheppey paralympian Steve Brown went head-to-head on Friday before an audience of VIPs including the Mayor of Swale Cllr Ken Ingleton.

Sir Martyn, who was knighted in 2016 for his work with charities, revealed his quest for a new kind of "constructive journalism" to counter years of what he called destructive reporting.

He joked about winning Britain's bonniest baby competition in 1947 when he was two and became the face of royal baby food firm Cow and Gate.

Sir Martyn is now chairman of Your Big Day which makes videos to mark birthdays using archive newsreels. Quoting SYDF online donates £4 to the Youth Development Fund.

When the tables were turned, Sheppey-born Steve, who lives in Sittingbourne, gave an inspiring insight into his school days at Borden Grammar and the horrifying accident in Germany which left his paralysed from the waist down.

He revealed his careers master had warned him off careers in both sport and TV presenting. He has since represented Britain in the paralympics in wheelchair rugby, commented on the paralympics and become a regular face on the BBC programme Countryfile.

The audience was also introduced to two youngsters who had benefited from the Fund. Show-jumper Will Lewis, 18, from Teynham spent some of the money on a stable drape for competitions and gymnast Lara Stembridge, who won the Fund's 'Best Achiever' trophy recently, demonstrated some of her moves.

Talented Toby Turpin wasn't present but wrote a letter praising the Fund for helping him in his showbiz career. He said: "We are really lucky in Swale to have this amazing charity dedicated to helping us."

The fund was set up by former Swale mayor Richard Moreton and his wife Rose. When she died in August a collection in her memory raised £745 for the Fund.

At the Assembly Halls in Faversham, Freemasons Bill Boggia and Ian Ward handed over another cheque for £250.

The night compered by Murray Evans was put together by Sheppey's Carole Nealey and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent Paul Auston and raised £1,500.

The Fund gives financial help to Swale's talented young people up to 21. For more information visit www.swaleyouthdevelopmentfund.org.uk.