PUPILS at a secondary school have been learning about the importance of binning junk food in favour of following a healthy diet.

Year nine pupils, aged 13 and 14, at Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, took time out from lessons to take part in cooking classes yesterday.

The school, in Croft Road, Hurworth, near Darlington, enlisted the help of the Junk Food Roadshow, which visits schools across the country to encourage young people to eat healthily.

The students were divided into five groups and each had a one-hour session with roadshow chef Paul Fenwick.

The event was organised to coincide with the school pupils' healthy eating and citizenship programme.

The school's food technology teacher, Rita Rees, said: "During the sessions, Paul asked four pupils to act as assistant chefs and together they made pizzas, using healthy ingredients, including sweetcorn, fish, tomatoes and ciabatta bread.

"Paul also showed the pupils what goes into burgers to show them how unhealthy they can be. I think the day was a real eye-opener for them, but they thoroughly enjoyed themselves."

She added: "It is always nice to get outside companies for sessions like this, because I think the message sinks in more for the pupils.

"The day was a great success and it would be good to repeat it next year."