THE first UK school pudding recipes designed by children are proving a big hit among other youngsters.

It was clean plates all round at Kirk Merrington Primary School, near Spennymoor, County Durham, after pupils aged between six and nine tried the new recipes developed by children.

The youngsters were taking part in what is believed to be a unique exercise.

Organised by Taylor Shaw, County Durham’s main provider of school meals to 213 primary schools, the exercise was a response to growing reports from school cooks that youngsters were turning their noses up at new-style fruit puddings.

It followed new national regulations which meant that school kitchens must serve puddings that are at least 50 per cent fruit twice a week.

Taylor Shaw worked with three County Durham primary schools – Byerley Park in Newton Aycliffe, Stanhope Barrington in Weardale and Kirk Merrington – to come up with recipes the kids would enjoy and eat.

Armed with recipes developed by children at Byerley Park a team from Taylor Shaw invited Kirk Merrington pupils to help prepare the new style puddings, which included: berry cherry pie, piggylicious cheesecake, Byerley brownies, Ollie’s fruity bread, Falconers’ fruit favourites and crazy cornflake tart.

Christine Park, area manager with Taylor Shaw, said: “The Byerley Park kids gave us their vision of the new puddings and we have turned them into practical recipes.”

She said it was “absolutely wonderful” that the children had been involved in developing the puddings and then preparing them.

“The recipes have been a big success with the children it is looking very good,” she added.

The plan is to test the recipes on a few more groups of school children before taking a final decision whether the new puddings should be rolled out across County Durham.

Head teacher, Helen Williams, said: “The children are thrilled that the recipes have come from other youngsters and not from a cookbook.”

Nine-year-old Brooke Illingworth said: “It tastes really good and healthy as well.”

Brody Bingham, seven, said: “The cherry berry pie was really nice and the best thing is that it doesn’t just have one type of berry.”

A show of hands at the end of the tasting session showed that all of the six tasting groups had enjoyed their puddings.

Councillor Jan Blakey, vice chairwoman of Durham County Council, who sat in on the testing session, said: “I am amazed at what the children have done. They really seem to have understood the healthy eating message.”