Ready Steady Cook chef Antony Worrall Thompson created a stir at Gatwick Airport.

The celebrity chef opened the £35 million extension at Gatwick Airport's north terminal by doing what he does best - cooking.

He based himself at The Caviar House where he provided passengers with his favourite recipes and gave them ideas on how to create Christmas dinner with a difference.

Samples of his work were eagerly devoured.

The two-storey extension has allowed a 70 per cent expansion in the amount of seating, catering and shops for travellers airside after they have gone through security checks.

The design includes a glass atrium above the main seating area and lighting pillars that adjust colour to suit the time of year.

On the ground floor there is a World Duty Free store, and other shops include Swatch watches, Dixons, Harrods, WH Smith, China and Glass, Goldsmiths and Boots.

On the upper mezzanine level there is a Warner Bros shop, Nike, Marlboro Classics and TTT Foreign Exchange.

The extension includes 440 new seats, a smoking area and improved toilets.

Gatwick BAA retail director Danny Sloan said: "It is a tremendous boost for the airport and our passengers at what is currently a difficult time for the industry."