DURHAM school pupils have tried out some of the country's finest dairy delicacies.

Youngsters at St Joseph's Primary School, in Gilesgate, took part in a cheese taster session held to mark British Food Fortnight.

The children tasted samples of British cheeses such as Red Leicester, Cheddar and Gloucester in an event organised by the school's nutrition action group.

St Joseph's has a Healthy School Award and takes healthy eating seriously, offering younger children fruit at break-times and ensuring healthy options are on the menu at dinner-times.

Nutrition co-ordinator Rosalind Ward said the cheese tasting was accompanied by a geography lesson for older pupils who were shown on a map where the country's famous cheeses were produced.

Yesterday, the children were shown how to make smoothies, made in a blender with milk, yoghurt and fruit.

Next week there will be more education in British fare when the school holds pork pie and sausage-tasting sessions.