CHILDREN who took part in a painting competition went on a farm tour to teach them about vegetables.

Winners of the River Swale Organic Vegetables Art competition went with their families to Home Farm, Newby Wiske, near Northallerton.

Farmer Peter Richardson and farm manager Rob Haward congratulated the Northallerton school pupils on their work and led them on a guided walk in the vegetable fields.

They then had a go at packing a vegetable box and sampled organic apple juice.

Prize winners Chloe Boocock, 11, Elliot Walker, five, and Annabel Simpson, ten, won fruit and salad boxes, which will be delivered to their homes for six weeks by local distributors Adrian and Claire Barrand.

Mrs Barrand said: "It is important that children understand that their food doesn't just come from the supermarket pre-packed and washed clean.

"They are fascinated to find out that carrots come covered in mud."

For details of the vegetable box scheme, visit www.riverswale.co.uk, or call 0845-367-1155.