SCHOOLCHILDREN in Redcar have ditched sweets for healthier options after learning what goes into their favourite snacks.

Pupils from Ings Farm Primary School spent the day at Middlesbrough College as part of their healthy living studies, where they learned how to make pizzas and sweet kebabs.

The youngsters also played a game of volleyball at the College's sports centre and took a tour of the new facilities.

Catering and hospitality lecturer Martin Boyle believes the youngsters took away some very valuable lessons.

He said: "We used blocks of lard and bowls of sugar to show them how much they would eat in a year if they had just one burger, chocolate bar and fizzy drink a week.

"They were pretty shocked and it made them visualise exactly what was going into their bodies.

"They showed me their packed lunches and to be honest it was encouraging to see that a lot of them were not too bad.

"I told them not to forego all treats but they shouldn't have lots of them."

He added: "The kids were absolutely smashing and were asking questions and sharing their experiences all day.

"They made their own healthy pizzas, pasta sauces, vegetable kebabs and yoghurt dips."