TOO many cooks have not been spoiling the broth on Teesside.

Youngsters from three schools in Stockton have been learning how to cook and what ingredients to use at an after-school cooking club to help them learn more about food. And their parents have been lapping it up.

Children at the three schools involved, Abbey Hill School and Technology College, Westlands and Blakeston Community School, took part in the What's Cooking Clubs, funded by the Food Standards Agency, ContinYou and the Big Lottery.

Teenagers at Blakeston School spent six months fine-tuning their culinary skills and invited their parents to a meal.

Kelli Barron, Blakeston club's co-ordinator and teacher, said: "Parents were delighted when their children made a meal. The young people said that they are more confident when cooking, need less help and their parents have encouraged them to cook at home more."

At Abbey Hill School and Technology School, the club was linked to the curriculum.