SCHOOLCHILDREN are being given lessons in healthy eating and food preparation on a cooking bus', as part of a natio-nal scheme.

Children at Trawden Forest Primary School, in Skipton Road, are being given hands-on experience of cooking healthy food on a purpose-built articulated lorry, complete with classrooms and kitchens.

Qualified food teachers will give 130 pupils, aged from five to ten, a taste of quality cooking during a three-day course run by the Focus on Food Campaign, which is sponsored by the Food Standards Agency.

Youngsters on the bus, which is part of a fleet touring the country, will learn key aspects of food education, including nutrit-ion, food safety and hygiene, and food preparation skills.

Headteacher Frank Royle, who has run the school for 20 years, said the idea came from a parent and governor who works for the Food Standards Agency .

Mr Royle said: "This gives the children a chance to learn about important life skills and have a good time at the same time.

"It is fantastic. It is important kids know how easy it is to make healthy food and they can pass the message on to their parents.

"Hopefully the message will be taken home when the kids ask the parents to make the food.

"It is great for the kids to learn through the bus, as well as doing something exciting," he added.

Classes on the bus, which can hold 16 children at any one time, were held yesterday and continue today and tomorrow. The food prepared and cooked included tartlets, salads, spring rolls, and fruit smoothies.

Mr Royle added: "This is to acquaint them with proper life skills and the idea of healthy food, which is quite fashionable at the moment.Especially when there is a real worry about obesity, we want to get them into good habits as early as possible.

"This is the first time we have done this and we would love to do it again."

A session will also be held for the staff tomorrow to allow them to carry on with the work started on the bus.

Focus on Food Cooking Buses deliver lessons free to schools participating in the campaign, giving priority to low income areas.

For further information on the Food Standards Agency visit the website below.