PUPILS got to grips with baking after swapping the classroom for professional kitchens at Darlington College of Technology.

Twenty-six youngsters from Staindrop Comprehensive School spent the day in the college kitchens learning how to mass-produce food. Among the orders planned for the day were 300 mince pies.

Head of food technology at the school Katie Swinburne said the children had been looking at large-scale production and food manufacturing. She said: "They have absolutely loved it and I'm sure many will want to go into the business once they have finished school."

Darlington College catering tutor Donna Joyce said: "The college kitchens are ideal to show the children what it is like working in a professional setting."