JENNIE Bond, the former BBC royal correspondent considered by many to be more regal than the Queen, has turned ngb2b's Christmas lunch into a record sell-out.

Last year's Christmas lunch with Christine and Neil Hamilton attracted more than 300 attendees, but that has been eclipsed this year with almost 500 people booking seats.

A chamber spokesman said this year's lunch was the largest networking event in the chamber's history.

Rachel Nowell, events and marketing co-ordinator, said: "After the success of last year's event it was obvious to us that a larger venue would be needed. We originally planned for 400 guests but the tickets sold within a matter of weeks so we increased the number of bookings and we still have people on waiting lists.

"The chamber's Christmas lunch is always the most successful event of the year and I'm delighted at its increased popularity: Jennie has certainly drawn a crowd."

Jennie Bond was the BBC's royal correspondent for 13 years and enjoyed further acclaim with her stoic performance on TV show I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here."

She is now living in Devon with her husband and daughter. She regards the claim that she was more royal than the royals as "ridiculous".

Ms Bond is now a fixture on the lecture circuit, talking about life behind the scenes at the BBC and at Buckingham Palace.

She travelled extensively with Diana, Princess of Wales, most memorably on her last trip to Angola, when she focused world attention on the issue of landmines.

Her toughest assignment came when she had to cover the breaking news story of the fatal car accident and the Princess's funeral in 1997.

If you would like to add your name to the waiting list for the Xmas lunch you can call 01633 222664.