TELEVISION presenter Mary Portas was guest of honour at the inaugural meeting of a charity's new ladies' lunch in Hendon on Tuesday.

The retail guru spoke to supporters of Kisharon, which provides services for people with learning difficulties in the Jewish community, at Hendon Hall Hotel in Ashley Lane.

Portas, famed for her show Mary Queen of Shops, delivered a humorous speech inspiring the audience to demand better customer service.

Charity chief executive, Beverly Jacobson, said: “The lunch drew new supporters from all over London and this provided a perfect opportunity to promote Kisharon’s broad range of services.  

“We need people to know about Kisharon as we want to be able to help and support every child and adult in the Jewish community who needs our services.”

More than £20,000 was raised at the event on Tuesday. To find out more about the charity, visit www.kisharon.org.uk.