Dinner parties are a perfect way to catch up with friends and find out about the latest gossip and news.

And now the organisers of social gatherings around the dinner table at homes across Norfolk and Suffolk are being urged to help animal conservation by cooking up a series of recipes created by top local chefs. The Zoological Society of East Anglia, which runs Banham Zoo, near Diss, and Africa Alive! at Kessingland, near Lowestoft, has created a fundraising campaign called the Zsea dinner party weekend.

The society wants people to organise dinner parties over the weekend of Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16 to raise funds to conserve animal species around the world

People who sign up will receive a fundraising pack, which includes an array of recipes from top local chefs, a guide on hosting your party, fun games, place cards and some information about the charity.

Recipes have been prepared by an eclectic mix of regional chefs, such as Fran Hartshorne, the head chef at the White Horse, Brancaster, Chris Coubrough from Flying Kiwi Inns and Regis Crepy from The Great House Hotel and Restaurant in Lavenham

The variety of suggested menus available match almost all cooking abilities, but budding chefs can also create their own as well.

Michael Kitching, the head of fundraising for the society which is based at Banham Zoo, said: 'I hope that local people will get behind the campaign, the zoological society is one of Norfolk's special secrets, working and funding work all over the world to help protect wildlife and the environment.'

'Funding we have provided has led to breakthroughs such as specially protected areas for snow leopards in Mongolia and the breeding of critically endangered vultures and tigers.

'We also provide expertise around the world, with our conservation staff regularly involved in work both in the UK and overseas.'

To sign up visit dinnerparty.org.uk or call 01953 715371. Participants will be entered in a prize draw.