WHETHER it's because the sun creeps up on us every year, or the fact we don't want to tempt fate, many end up relying on the tin foil clad disposable barbecue for their outdoor dining.

But if you're hoping to avoid the endless queue of frustrated flamers in your local DIY, while the rays beat down outside, why not think about buying something a bit more permanent?

You might also think the griller in the garage is still up to the job but it's worth taking a sneak peek now to make sure the rust hasn't ravaged it over the winter months.

The key to buying a new outdoor oven is to make sure you have enough cooking space for the entire family, and if your space is limited, a gas-powered grill might be more suitable than a charcoal one.

It's quite amazing what you can conjure up on a barbecue too, from simple chargrilled steaks to more exotic dishes.

So, with no more ado, crack open a beer, start sizzling and get stuck, in al fresco style.

Here is a selection of top-notch barbecues on the market:

n Table Topper - QBBQ - £99.95 from www.firebox.com

A mini-marvel that's powered by gas, cooks as well as any of its bigger rivals but has the added bonus of being ultra-portable so you can barbecue just about wherever you go.

Don't suffer those flimsy foil throwaways ever again - this is flaming brilliant.

n Classic Cooking - Weber Go-anywhere grill - £50 from www.barbecue-online.co.uk

For some folk only charcoal will do, and this unit from Weber is one of the best portable barbecues to use those fuels.

Sturdy in design and complete with a 10-year warranty - a lot of sausages!

n Flame Tamer - Gas Master BBQ - £274 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

This gas-powered unit includes a clever split on the cooking surface so you have two areas on which to prepare your feast.

One area has a griddle and one a grill, so you can chop and change your meats around for the perfect finish.

n Short and Tall - Multi height BBQ - £79.99 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

With three different cooking heights, this barbecue isn't just useful for the vertically challenged - it also makes it perfect for cooking on the patio table.

It is charcoal powered so, if you want to add more fuel or to stop cooking for a while, the grill simply swings out of the way.

n Space Age Sizzler - £149.99 from www.georgeforeman.co.uk

This unit does pack a punch, as well as having the look of a UFO.

The design of the cooking surface means that more of the fat is channelled away from your food, which is not only a healthier option but also makes it easy to clean.

n Garden-King - Ultimate Barbecue £1,499.99 from www.iwantoneofthose.com

If you take your outdoor entertaining seriously, or are considering making it a full-time occupation, then this stainless steel machine is the baron of the barbecues.

An oversized cooking area along with three burners and an infra-red rotisserie burner for spit roasting.

Straight talking about holidays

A TELL-it-like-it-is guide to avoiding nasty surprises when booking a package holiday has been launched by an independent travel agent.

Midlands Co-op, which has a branch in Worcester High Street, is offering a free Straight Talking booklet to holidaymakers in a bid to take the sting out of small print.

Based on the questions most commonly asked of its travel staff, it covers the following:

Late availability holidays - what they are, what they provide and what they don't.

Low or no deposits - what the offers mean and when final payment is required.

Cash discounts - how they're applied and how people qualify.

Free insurance offers - terms of the deal.

Cancellation - the cost of pulling out of the arrangements at the last minute.

Supplements - what they apply to and when they are charged.

Complaints - how to resolve them either on holiday or on return.

The guide is available at all Midlands Co-operative Travel outlets.

For veggies

Sunday, May 30:

A food tasting and talk on The Health and Other Advantages of Vegan and Vegetarian Diets, 3pm at St George's Annexe, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster. Admission £2. Free recipes and literature available. For details: www. wyreforestvegsoc.co.uk

Malvern Hills Vegetarian Social Club presents Spring Strudels at 1pm at the Plume of Feathers, Welland, near Upton-upon-Severn. Details on 07792 720462.