FIVE budding young chefs have been getting work experience by serving up lunch to older residents living at a sheltered housing scheme.

Students have been visiting Castle Court in Annfield Plain, near Stanley, to serve freshly made sandwiches and hot soup.

The students, aged 18-20, all have learning difficulties as well as disabilities and attend a live, learn and work course at Gateshead College.

Their work experience is delivered with a team from Cambian Dilston College in Corbridge which provides further education, as well as day, short break and outreach services and work placements for young people with learning disabilities.

The students, who one day are hoping to gain employment in the catering industry, have been attending the scheme on Friday afternoons, using the on-site kitchen facilities at Castle Court to prepare and serve the sandwiches and soup at £2 each with over 30 residents taking up the offer.

Resident Raymond Robertson, said: “Quite a lot of our residents signed up and we were very pleased we did.”