CARDIAC patients have been given a hearty buffet with a healthy twist.

Catering and hospitality students from New College Durham served up a low-fat feast at the University Hospital of North Durham.

The menu included mouth-watering snacks like potato skins, dips, dressed salad and puddings.

The recipes were all approved by dieticians at the hospital and were freshly made at the college on the day of the event.

Sister Carol Dover, of the cardiac rehabilitation unit, said: "The healthy eating buffet is to show patients that they can still eat good food and be healthy.

"There is also a party atmosphere and it also provides a get-together for all the patients.

"It encourages them to eat healthy and shows them there is life after a heart attack."