SCHOOLCHILDREN were given a taste of kitchen success when they were given the opportunity to learn the art of cooking and food preparation.

Pupils from Newton School visited Low Sizergh Farm to take part in an educational programme called Growing Well.

Ran by a mental health charity for the past 11 years, the scheme helps pupils to plant seeds, harvest crops, discuss where food comes from and taste organic produce.

Newton pupils were even given the opportunity to get their hands messy by chopping and preparing vegetables and even made a vegetable curry and poached apple and fruit pudding.

Teacher Fern Schofield said :"This powerful learning experience helped to inform the children how to prepare healthy food and prepare food in a healthy way and they thoroughly enjoyed the session with chef James.

"An excellent day."

Growing Well is ran by a mental health charity which aims to help people who are feeling depressed or anxious about life to refocus their energy on something positive.

The charity works in conjunction with Low Sizergh barn to offer a number of funded bursaries to schools across the area.