A GOVERNMENT-BACKED initiative linked to TV chef Jamie Oliver’s mission to get Britain cooking more healthily is in danger of proving a failure.

There are 60 free places available at the launch of Pass It On County Durham tomorrow, in Consett.

But so far only six people have said they are attending the launch at Consett Civic Hall – despite the chance of meeting Oliver in the near future.

Health bosses are hoping the TV chef will attend at least one of a series of County Durham events over the next few months.

The free scheme is being run by the Pioneering Care Partnership from Newton Aycliffe, after the organisation was awarded £66,000 from NHS County Durham and the Government’s Learning Revolution Transformation Fund.

Last night, worried NHS officials urged people in the Consett area to take advantage of the offer.

While Oliver is not expected to appear at the Consett event, NHS officials are hoping he will be able to make a personal appearance in support of the initiative.

Vicky Dunn, marketing coordinator for the Pioneering Care Partnership, said: “We have room for 60 people at the launch event in Consett, but so far we have only got six definitely booked.”

She urged local people to seize the opportunity and join the initiative, which is part of a campaign to support Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food, featured on Channel 4 last year.

The Consett initiative is one of 12 free events taking places across County Durham in the next few months.

At each event, people can take part in one of four short sessions at 10.30am, 11am, 12.45pm and 1pm to teach them how to cook “good honest and affordable food”.

People can sign up for a sixweek course of cooking lessons, which will include nutritional information, advice on food labelling, fats, salts and sugars, as well as shopping on a budget and how to plan a healthy meal.

Those taking part will be asked to pass on their new skills to family and friends.

Anyone wanting to attend tomorrow’s event in Consett – or any of the other around County Durham – is asked to call 01325-321234 or email passiton@pcp.uk.net