YOUNGSTERS have used their artistic flair to help spread the message about food hygiene.

Environmental health officers visited a number of North-East schools in the run-up to National Food Safety Week, this week.

Presentations have focused on food safety and kitchen hygiene, using the catchphrase Remember the Four Cs for Food Safety.

The four Cs are, cleanliness, cooking, chilling and cross-contamination.

Younger members of their audiences have used what they have learned in class to design posters to encourage adults to take more care when they are preparing and storing food.

Some of the best designs were selected for display at Morrisons stores in the area.

Among winners selected by a panel, including deputy store manager Sandra Tatters, at Morrisons' Doxford Park store on Wearside, were 11-year-old Connor Watson, of Easington Lane Primary School, Katherine Wilmot, eight, of East Herrington Primary School, Jade Hall, eight, of Bishop Harland CE Primary School, Gemma Dodsworth, seven, of Barnes Infant School, Adam Fairless, ten, of Holley Park Primary, Keiran Hindson, six, and eight-year-old Rebecca Tempest, both of George Washington Primary School, and Jack Reddel, six, and ten-year-old Geena Bramley, of Columbia Grange School. All the schools are in Sunderland.

Norma Johnston, assistant head of environmental services at Sunderland City Council, said: "Getting the children involved is one of the best ways to get good a hygiene message across.

"They have had great fun letting their families know what they have learned and designing the posters."

She added that although the annual campaign week was in its 14th year, the basic message had remained the same: Be clean, be thorough and be careful when preparing, cooking and storing the food for your family.