BACON butties, sausage sandwiches and glasses of milk were enjoyed by about 80 youngsters at the Great Yorkshire Showground on Tuesday.

Children from Woodlands Primary School, Harrogate, were joined by Nigel Pulling, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which was the host for the event, part of the national Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2003.

Under the theme "Eat Local", the nine- and ten-year-olds heard where their food came from and how it was produced, and of the value of farmers' markets, before tucking into their breakfasts.

Teacher Caroline Wood said: "It's been marvellous today as the children have been able to get a better understanding of farming and food production. We used to be able to visit farms but, because of hygiene regulations, that isn't so easy now, so this is a way of bringing farming to the children, and it fits in well with the curriculum."

The bacon and sausages were provided by Grant and Mark Burton of J H and M Burton, Manor House Farm, Wilberfoss, near York, who explained how the pigs were reared and the meat produced.

Before tucking in, the youngsters were able to try plaiting dough as part of the demonstration by Ken Davill of the Ripon bakery, Davills Patisserie. He explained the breadmaking process from grain to the loaf. Ladies in Pigs then gave a cookery demonstration including making the children's bacon and sausage butties. The milk was provided by Arla Foods.

Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2003 is supported by Food from Britain, the MLC and Lion Quality Eggs with the NFU, Welsh Development Agency, Quality Meats Scotland and the Women's Food and Farming Union.