SOMETHING fishy is going on in the kitchens of a North Yorkshire school - and budding chefs and a well-known charity both stand to benefit.

The head chef at St Aidan's School, Harrogate, Trevor Whitehead, has linked up with the town's Ramus Seafoods, which has agreed to sponsor a cookery award to promote healthy eating.

Rather than kitchen staff competing for the honours, the pupils will be asked to come up with their own recipes.

The winner will be presented with their award at a ceremony at the Pavilions complex, at the Great Yorkshire Showground, by Harrogate MP and Liberal Democrat education spokesman, Phil Willis.

The top prize includes a day's tuition with renowned chef John Topham at the General Tarleton, in Ferrensby.

The pupils taking part in the competitition, on Tuesday, October 7, will really have to stretch their imaginations to impress the judging panel.

It includes Ramus Seafoods' director Liz Ramus, Mr Willis, food journalist Elaine Lemm and Paul Fryer, from Marie Curie Cancer Care, which will benefit from the proceeds of the contest.

An awards ceremony will be held on Monday, October 13.

The evening also includes cookery demonstrations by Mr Topham as well as Paul Grundy from the Black Bull, at Moulton, and Jim Rawley of the Red Lion, at Burnsall.

Tickets for the night are priced at £10 and are available from Ramus Seafoods on Harrogate's King's Road.

Ramus Seafoods director, Jonathan Batchelor, said: "Childhood nutrition has a significant influence on health and development throughout life.

"As children grow, their nutritional needs are much greater than those of adults and the consequences of a poor diet will be long-lasting.

"I am delighted we've joined forces with St Aidan's to help educate children cooking and eating different types of fish as an alternative to more traditional school dinners."

St Aidan's deputy headteacher, Steve Hatcher, said: "Correct nourishment is needed to help sustain students through the heavy academic programme.

"I'm pleased Ramus Seafoods shares our commitment to providing a good healthy balanced diet for our students."