A Workington school's menu has been brightened up by healthy dishes by some of its budding chefs.

Year eight pupils at St Joseph's School had to prepare a healthy main meal and dessert for less than £1.60.

Four main meals and four desserts were chosen by teacher Joanne Fowler and catering manager Sandra Spedding after passing the taste test.

Of the judges' picks, pasta pesto chicken with garlic bread by Liam Sharples and Kyla Briscoe's mini baked cheesecake with whipped cream and raspberry coulis proved popular and the pair's dishes were picked by their fellow pupils to appear on the school's canteen menu this week.

The competition was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Workington, who gave each of the judges' favourites a £25 gift voucher.

Ms Fowler said: "It's all about them taking ownership of their food and showing that they can make things that are healthy.

"There were a lot of entries which stood out as it was the second year we did it so the standard was quite high.

"Liam researched his idea, the pesto in it was slightly different and he used lasagne sheets torn into strips rather than just spaghetti which was innovative.

"Kyra's cheesecake stood out for the taste more than anything because it was very creamy and a nice little dish.