A trio of organisations have joined forces to help Sidmouth families cook nutritious meals on a budget.

The charity Health and Local Food For Families (HALFF), which is based in Axminster, helps people cook healthy food for themselves and their families, as well as promoting local produce.

The group has been working in conjunction with the Sid Valley Food Bank and the Lions Club of Sidmouth to run three free cooking sessions. Sidmouth Town Council has also shown its support for the scheme.

Becky Varley, HALFF cook and nutritionist, said: “It’s great getting everyone ‘hands-on’ making the meals.

“After we’d finished cooking, the kids all sat up at the tables eating the hot food.

“There were leftovers to take home. As we prepared the meals we chatted about using seasonal produce, freezing extra batches and making meals go even further with cheap extra ingredients such as beans, vegetables and lentils.”

The first session served up a healthy cottage pie, followed by biscuit crumble mash with custard.

Participants received handouts explaining how to prepare healthy nutritional balance in everyday meals and snacks.

Course co-ordinator Hannah Newman said: “It went really well. We are hoping that as we get better known in Sidmouth, we will be able to attract more people.”