CHEFS served up a health lesson at St John's RC Comprehensive School, Bishop Auckland, as part of an ambitious project to encourage people to eat more fruit and vegetables.

Health workers in County Durham and Darlington teamed up with supermarket Asda to stage a touring Ready Steady Cook-style event.

Celebrity chef Noel Goulding's roadshow was part of the drive to persuade people to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

At St John's he enlisted headteacher Brian Jones and the leader of Durham County Council Councillor Don Robson.

The latest scientific studies suggests that eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can help to fight off cancers and heart disease.

The key to the £100,000 County Durham scheme, backed by Health Secretary Alan Milburn, is to persuade retailers from small shopkeepers to large supermarkets to promote the cheapest seasonal vegetables available.

Project coordinator Joanne Coady said: "Hopefully the pupils will get the message that fruit and vegetables don't have to be boring and they will be encouraged to start eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables."