RESTAURANTS and cafes in Durham are serving up freshly grown produce grown by schoolchildren from the city.

"Edible planters" have been grown by pupils from six schools and have been placed around the city as part of as part of Durham's entry to the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom.

The children from Sherburn Primary School, Neville’s Cross Primary School, Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, St Leonard’s Catholic School, Durham Trinity School and Belmont Church of England Primary School, planted up the boxes with herbs, fruit, vegetables and edible flowers.

They have been placed on the city's Elvet and New Elvet Bridges.

Councillor Brian Stephens, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “This is an exciting first as we haven’t produced an edible planting feature as part of the city's summer floral displays before.

"These pupils have proven that an edible landscape can be beautiful as well as tasty and I hope that residents and visitors enjoy admiring the displays and eating the fresh, healthy produce in our local restaurants.”

The Northern Echo:

Mayor of Durham councillor Katie Corrigan pays a visit to one of the planters on Elvet Bridge

The edible planter project was funded by the Durham Area Action Partnership, and delivered by the Outdoor and Sustainability Education Charity, OASES North East, and Durham’s In Bloom partnership.

Clare Garnham, OASES manager, said: "Schools in Bloom has allowed us to engage hundreds more children and young people with the RHS Durham In Bloom campaign and get them interested in growing edible plants."

Schools who would like to be involved in a similar project next year can find out more or express their interest by emailing info@oasesnortheast.org.uk

Durham is competing in the RHS's "champion of champions" category. Results are announced in October.