YOUNGSTERS have been sampling spicy foods as part of a national week.

During National School Meals Week, Lord Lawson of Beamish Community School launched its own curry bar, giving pupils the chance to sample Indian dishes including chicken tikka masala, lamb jalfrezi, vegetable balti and chicken rogan josh.

There was also a selection of rice dishes, naan bread and vegetable samosas, which were prepared in the school kitchens.

The initiative was part of Gateshead Council's efforts to get young people across the borough to think more about health, nutrition and exercise.

More than 70 Gateshead schools, including Lord Lawson of Beamish, earned Healthy School awards last year for helping pupils to live more healthy and active lives in and out of school