PUPILS in North Yorkshire have become national leaders in a new scheme to promote healthy eating in youngsters.

Sowerby Primary School has joined the Food for Life Partnership - and has become one of the first groups to do so.

The project aims to transform food culture in schools to boost the health of pupils.

Sowerby school will get hands-on support from the Food for Life Partnership as it bids to achieve a gold mark under the scheme.

To achieve this the school must show that at least 75 per cent of the food it serves is fresh, 50 per cent is locally sourced and 30 per cent is organic.

Headteacher Jean Yendall said: "Being selected as a flagship school is great news for our children, their families and even the local farmers.

"Fresh, locally sourced food or even food we have grown ourselves will impact positively on our children's health and well being.

"The partnership is also working with us on an exciting and meaningful curriculum for pupils where gardening and cooking play an important part."

The school hopes extend the scheme to draw in parents and community groups to grow and cook food.

The Food for Life Partnership Cooking Bus will visit to teach cooking skills in hands-on sessions.

To complement the programme the school has also created a vegetable patch for pupils on its grounds.

A lunch-time gardening club has been set up and already 80 pupils have signed up for it.

A garden education officer from the partnership will help develop an organic growing area.

The school may also organise visits to some local farms.

The Food for Life Partnership is funded by the National Lottery to help transform food culture in schools.

Keith Tillbrook, North Yorkshire County Council's catering manager, said: "We are delighted Sowerby School has been chosen.

"County Caterers look forward to working with the school and the community to provide a better service for the children."