THE children of a County Durham primary school know they are lucky to have Lynn Pearson as their cook.

Miss Pearson, of Wolsingham Primary School, was named best school cook in the county for the second time by the Local Authorities Catering Association, in a competition judged by North-East weatherman Bob Johnson.

She hopes to win the national final after missing out by one point last year.

In the heat staged at Hermitage Comprehensive in Chester-le-Street, she served Weardale lamb, cous cous and plum chutney, sticky apple sponge and fruit coulis.

She now competes in the Scottish and North-East regional final in the hope of reaching the national final in November.

She said: "When I lost by just that one point, I said I was determined to have another go and I am just pleased to have got through because the standard was so high."

Runners-up were Catherine Wilson, from Esh Church of England School, Esh Village; Mark Kemp from Belmont Comprehensive; and Helen Nicholson of Hermitage Comprehensive.