ORGANIC vegetables hand-picked by pupils are heading for the cook's pot in a healthy eating drive.

Youngsters at Clavering Primary School, Hartlepool, grow their own greens and then tuck into them as part of their lunch.

Lettuce, carrots, beetroot, spring onions, marrows and radishes have all been carefully nurtured by pupils from year one upwards in a small garden area within the school's grounds. And this means that the school cook has a ready supply of vitamin-laden organic foods that she is able to use when preparing meals.

The gardens were introduced with support from Hartlepool Borough Council's Pride in Hartlepool environmental improvement initiative.

Community environmental action officer Keeley Metcalfe helped pupils plant the vegetable seeds earlier this year.

Deputy headteacher Anne Rowland said: "The children have really enjoyed growing the vegetables. It has been a very educational exercise - fitting in with several different aspects of the curriculum."

Ms Metcalfe said: "I am delighted that the garden project has proved so successful and that the pupils are benefiting directly from the vegetables."