A CAF set up in a community hall has been served up an award for its healthy menu.

The Heartbeat Award was presented to Pelton Fell Community Caf, run in the village hall, near Chester-le-Street on Monday.

It is the first community caf in the trust area to receive the health award from the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust. The award is presented to caterers who meet a set of criteria on healthy food, hygiene and the provision of non-smoking seating.

The caf was set up nearly two years ago in the centre. Cook Rose Kimins said: "We didn't deliberately set out to serve healthy food. We serve vegetarian food, salads, jacket potatoes, roasts. We try and please everybody."

Ann Calman, chair of Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust said: "Heart disease is the biggest killer in our community, but by caterers offering healthy choices to their customers, including non-smoking areas, we will be able to work together to raise awareness and reduce deaths.

"I would like to congratulate Pelton Fell Community Caf on being the first of its kind in the area to gain the award and hope that other community cafes will strive to achieve the award and become healthier places to eat."