YOUNGSTERS at a Bromsgrove school donned their aprons to take part in a national cooking challenge.

The pupils of Catshill Middle School, in Meadow Road, took part in this year’s Let’s Get Cooking Big Cookathon, on Thursday, (March 7).

The national scheme, organised by the Children’s Food Trust, launched six years ago and has helped millions improve their cooking skills, and to eat more healthily.

The whole school got involved, and were joined by special guests including the youngsters’ parents, governors, firefighters, and Wildmoor Oak chef Lorenzo Richards.

All the ingredients were also generously donated by local businesses.

The budding chefs took on the challenge of cooking up a healthy alternative to a popular Indian takeaway, by following Let’s Get Cooking recipes for chicken or veggie korma.

Julie Pask, from the school, said more than 500 took part in the event.

She said: “We had an amazing day.

“The aim was to get as many people as possible cooking the same recipe on the same day.

“Everything went to plan and everyone who got involved really enjoyed themselves.”

Rob Rees, from the food trust, said: “Cooking and eating together are such powerful ways to bring communities together, and that’s what the Big Cookathon is all about.

“And with plans for all children to learn to cook at school finally in the pipeline for the revamped curriculum, I hope even more schools will use the Big Cookathon to get their pupils having a go.”