CHEFS in Darlington old people's homes are being given unique training to tackle malnutrition in the elderly.

Cooks are being sent on a five-week course, the only one of its kind in the country, to ensure the food they produce is rich in nutrition and calories.

Medical research has shown that 44 per cent of elderly people are under-nourished, which often leaves them vulnerable to sickness.

The course is being run by South Durham and Darlington Nutrition and Dieticians' Service, Darlington College of Technology and Darlington Primary Care Trust.

Chefs spend one and a half hours hours in workshops learning the theory and the same time preparing and cooking food. Techniques cover diabetic diets, high-calorie food and pureeing.

NHS dietician Rachael Masters said: "Eating the right food can reduce the number of chest infections significantly. When people become old and frail, their appetites become poor but they still need 2,000 calories a day.

"The course results in people's calorie intake increasing by as much as 40 per cent, which is much better for their health."

Twenty five head chefs have been trained so far and the programme is being rolled out across County Durham. There are also plans to develop the course, which has just won the British Dietetic Association Research Award, for kitchen assistants.