HEALTHY eating will be on the menu at a County Durham primary school next week when pupils will use computer technology to discover whether their choice of food is nutritional.

Consumer watchdogs from Durham County Council's trading standards service are to visit Catchgate Primary School, in Stanley, next Wednesday and Thursday.

Cafe Life is a ground-breaking food awareness project that helps teach youngsters the nutritional value of what they choose to eat.

It was piloted in one other County Durham primary school last autumn.

Philip Holman, head of trading standards at Durham County Council, said: "The feedback we had from our pilot project last autumn showed pupils enjoyed taking part and really learned from the exercise.

"We have been amazed at the interest we have had since then from other schools and businesses, not just in County Durham, but further afield.

"Clearly, it is being viewed as a valuable aid in helping children to make an informed choice about the food they eat."

Trading standards services throughout the country are keen to use it and, in some cases, integrate it into their teaching programmes.

Trading standards officers are developing a CD-based version for wider application.

Next week they will create a cafe setting at Catchgate Primary School, which pupils will visit as customers and choose their meals from a selection on the menu.

Their choice is then fed into a computer, and the children will discover whether it is good or bad for their health.