SALMON risotto, rainbow mashed potato and speciality breads are on the menu at a Durham prep school as a means of getting the healthy eating message across.

Chef Janet Simpson organised a tasting afternoon at Bow, the prep school for Durham School, yesterday to introduce children to different foods.

Children tried out some of Janet's recipes, then had to work out the ingredients - designed as a creative way to encourage children to choose healthier options.

A spokesman for Durham School said: "The aim of the tasting competition is to get the message across to both pupils and their parents that getting the food right for children is so important - for physical well-being, of course, but also to counter the food-as-enemy mentality.

"It is important that schools and caterers work together to encourage pupils to have a healthy and pleasurable long-term relationship with food."