14 AUGUST 2004, Page 55

Q. We are staying in a beachside house party in

Cornwall with nine children. The local ice creams are delicious but too costly (at E18 per day if they have two daily). Can you suggest a cheap and cheerful pudding that anyone can knock up in no time?

C.B., Padstow, Cornwall A. Chop four man-sized bananas into circlets and place in ovenproof dish. Cover with apple juice and sprinkle on a tablespoon of grated almonds. Then mix eight ounces of roughly hewn porridge oats with four of butter and four of sugar for the topping and bake in a medium oven until the top looks crispy. Children cannot get enough of this dish —particularly if you call it Cornish Crumble.