PUPILS from Okehampton Primary School have dug their way to victory in a competition designed to get children growing and cooking their own food.

Okehampton pupils competed against other budding young gardeners from around 60 schools across Devon and Somerset in the 'Dig It, Grow It, Cook It, Eat It' competition. The competition was organised by Taunton-based waste company Viridor in partnership with Devon County Council and the Somerset Waste Action Programme.

The Okehampton pupils grew tasty carrots, cabbages, lettuces and potatoes, although headteacher Hazel Fox said the radishes did not go down quite so well with the pupils!

She said the project was an important part of the children's education. 'The project fits into our environmental ethos really well as a school, but more than that we believe it's really vital for the children to learn about where food comes from.

'In somewhere like Devon it's great to see children experience the whole process, from preparing ground, to growing, to harvesting, cooking and finally eating.'

Participating schools were given one tonne of compost, produced from garden waste left out for recycling by householders.

Pupils were also provided with seeds, and then had to fill in diaries and a scrap book, showing the progress of their digging, growing, cooking and eating.

Toby Buckland from BBC Gardeners' World, who presented the award to Okehampton pupils, said: 'What the children have grown is spectacular. It shows they've fully understood the importance of recycling and that being a good gardener is as much about what you put in to your soil as what you take out.

'The campaign has meant so many children have learnt values and skills that will be of use for the rest of their lives.'