CHILDREN at Haig Nursery in Bulford helped to prepare their own nutritious meals and learned about where food comes from during Healthy Eating Week.

Launched by the British Nutrition Foundation for all nurseries and schools throughout the UK, the week aims to teach children about the importance of healthy eating.

The nursery was also one of ten in the county to be part of a pilot project run by Wiltshire Council, looking at the nutritional content of food served to children.

In addition to having meals tested, nursery staff completed questionnaires about their food policies and standards. The information was then analysed by a trading standards officer and a community dietician.

Haig nursery manager Catherine Clifton said: “We were very keen to be part of this project, which has allowed us to check the food we provide to children in our care is of the highest nutritional standard.

"We welcome the findings and the support offered by Wiltshire Council to help us make any changes needed.”

Maggie Rae, corporate director Wiltshire Council, said: “Childhood obesity rates in Wiltshire are below the national average but still higher than we would wish to see.

“This innovative project will allow us to work with early years settings across the county to highlight the importance of providing nutritionally appropriate food and drink which is varied, healthy and balanced and will contribute to our efforts to reduce childhood obesity.”