PUPILS took part in a cooking competition to find out more about the benefits of healthy living.

Year 7 and 8 pupils at Ryton Comprehensive School, Gateshead, battled it out for the title Cook of the Year.

The winner was 12-year-old Ashleigh Stevenson, for her fresh fruit and cream creation.

The competition was part of the school's efforts to encourage pupils to eat more healthily and think about the ingredients they use in cooking.

The youngsters had to come up with a recipe for a baked product and the ten best entries got to cook in front of professional restaurateur Keith Jarvis, from Branches Restaurant, Stocksfield.

He and teachers from the school's food and textiles judged the competition.