YOUNGSTERS have been cooking up new ideas in the kitchen to ensure their diet is healthy.

Pupils at Barnard Castle School have joined a cookery club to arm themselves some basic skills for when they leave home to work or go to college.

Teacher Amanda Gorman is keen to make sure that the food on their menus is as healthy as possible.

"It is vital that children eat well as food affects them physically and mentally," she said.

"Eating healthy food alters behaviour, gives them more energy and boosts them intellectually, as well as ensuring long-term health."

For one junior chef, the cookery club, one of 100 extra-curricular activities provided for students at the school, provides the ideal opportunity to hone culinary skills started at home.

"I would love to be a chef one day," said Euan Hobson, 12, of Bowes.

"I love cooking and do it at home. This is the first time I have attended a cookery club and I am really enjoying it."