A COMMUNITY kitchen has proved to be worth its weight in gold when it comes to looking after diners' health.

Kitchen staff at Maidendale House, on Darlington's Firthmoor estate, have secured the gold award in the Darlington Heartbeat scheme.

The accolade has been awarded for the healthy options on the menu and the fact that the facility is smoke-free.

Staff have also passed their commercial food hygiene qualifications and will be working with tutors at Darlington College of Technology towards securing NVQ qualifications in catering.

Health improvement facilitator Jan Finn said: "The kitchen is fast building a reputation for itself and is being used widely in the local community, including the local neighbourhood nursery.

"The community kitchen shows that healthy eating isn't about lettuce leaves and carrot sticks, it can be tasty, nutritious and good value too."

No processed food is used in the menu, which offers a balance of protein, fresh fruit and vegetables, and carbohydrates.