A TOWN'S MP has been cooking with children.

Iain Wright was taking part in a campaign to encourage young people to eat more healthily.

After celebrating his promotion to the shadow cabinet this week, as spokesman for business, innovation and skills, Mr Wright headed home at the weekend to meet the teenagers at Brinkburn Youth Centre, Hartlepool.

The healthy eating campaign is called Make Space for Health and is run by national children's charity 4Children.

The programme supports young people to lead healthier lifestyles by delivering holistic, accessible health support to young people in a range of community settings.

Mr Wright, who helped make sandwiches and fruit pancakes, said: "A s a dad, I know it's never too early to get kids involved with food in the kitchen."

The youngsters, all secondary school age, had an interactive cookery demonstration by a professional chef, then Mr Wright led a quiz.

The Make Space for Health campaign, sponsored by chocolate maker Nestle, focuses on healthy eating, physical activity and emotional health. The programme is available for youth settings and is free of charge.