ENCOURAGING dads into the kitchen is not always easy.

But a scheme to teach fathers and their children to make delicious and healthy food from scratch has been launched.

Staff at Farnworth Children's Centre, in Lord Street, Kearsley, and Primary Care Trust health workers are running the course on a monthly basis.

It is aimed at families on a budget, helping them create meals which are healthy, easy to make and cheap.

Dads and youngsters learned to make fresh pizza, including the base and toppings, which were full of vegetables.

Father-of-two Stuart Smith, and his sons, Joshua, aged seven, and five-year-old Jordan, loved making the healthy pizzas.

Mr Smith, aged 30, of Gerrard Street, Farnworth, said: "It was really interesting. I learned what we should and shouldn't be eating and the kids loved it."

Graham Cox, a DJ and father of two-year-old Elisha, said: "I do cook sometimes at home, but it was great to learn how to make things from scratch and to spend some time with my daughter."

Steven Hayes, aged 41, of Campbell Court, Farnworth, father to one-year-old Jasmine, is determined to cut back on ready meals in favour of home-made food.

He said: "It was interesting to learn what foods are better for Jasmine. Not only that, but fresh, home-made meals are much cheaper to make."

Joan Farnworth, a community nutrition worker for Bolton Primary Care Trust, said: "We topped the pizza with ham, tuna, peppers, pineapple, and strong cheddar so not a lot of it was needed, and all sorts of other things.

"We made everything from scratch so parents had control over what was going in, which they can carry on at home. They really do get a lot out of it."

Bolton Council deputy executive member for children's services, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: "This is a really great way of introducing healthy eating to families with children.

"The sessions provide a fun opportunity for parents and their children to learn something useful together."

CITRUS CHICKEN

Ingredients: (double for two)
1 teaspoon sunflower oil
1/2 chopped onion
1 chicken fillet (small)
1/2 red pepper, sliced
Juice of an orange plus 25ml water
1 small carrot, sliced
4-6 baby potatoes

Instructions
Brown the onions over a low heat.
Cut the chicken fillet into large pieces and add to the pan.
Brown for two minutes and add the other ingredients.
Cover and simmer over a a low heat for about 20 minutes.
Top up with water if required.