YOUNG Children across Herefordshire are being urged to learn how to cook to help them lead a healthier lifestyle as an adult.

The results of a survey, conducted by the Children's Food Trust show if children learn to cook by the age of eight, they are 50 per cent less likely to become overweight and obese in later life.

Currently 23 per cent of children aged four to five across Herefordshire are overweight and the figure rises to 33 per cent for those aged 10 and 11.

In order to stop this number rising, steps have been taken across Herefordshire to help primary school pupils understand how to make basic meals from scratch while learning about nutrition.

Sue Rees and Fiona Grant are among those doing their bit for healthy eating by running a cookery club at Marlbrook Primary School.

The weekly sessions run for just over an hour and see pupils tasting different food and learning how to prepare and cook meals.

So far the groups have learned how to make classics such as spagehetti bolognaise and cowboy pie, which contains sausage, baked beans and potato.

Sue said: “The response to the cookery club is fantastic. The children just love it and they get very sad when it comes to their last lesson.”

Rob Rees, of the Children’s Food Trust, said: “There has never been a more critical time to focus on getting children cooking.

“It is vital we equip the future generation with the skills and knowledge to make good nutrional choices and this begins with getting them cooking.”