THE FIRST cookery workshops at Bridport's Centre for Local Food proved to be a great success with the young people who attended last week.

Eighteen children went to the two sessions, which were heavily over-subscribed. The children learned how to make pizzas, muffins and biscuits, and all were keen to go back and learn more.

West Dorset Food and Land Trust, which runs the new centre on the St Michael's trading estate, has been awarded Department of Health funding for the cookery workshops through the Consortium on Opportunities for Volunteering. The aim is promote greater understanding of health and nutrition and develop higher levels of practical cookery skills. Volunteers are actively involved in the design and delivery of the workshops.

The three-year project will support after-school and holiday cookery workshops for young people, and also a range of cookery projects for the wider community.

Plans are underway for further workshops during the Whitsun half-term, and cookery workshops co-ordinator Jackie Wolfe is looking for more volunteers to offer their support.

She said: "We had a very good response with these two workshops, and had four volunteers help out with the workshops which was invaluable. We have plans for many more workshops and would welcome more volunteers."

Anyone interested in getting involved or finding out about future workshops should call Jackie Wolfe on 01308 420269.