Young children and their families are being encouraged to cook nutritious meals together and enjoy better health by taking part in KM Kent Cooks.

The county’s official school cooking competition is calling for entries from children as young as six, as they can join in the contest with the help of mum or dad.

Competition categories include Families for adult and child entrants; the idea being that children get a better understanding of healthy eating while having fun with their families. The other two categories are Primary School and Secondary School.

By learning about nutrition and food preparation, youngsters will have a better chance of avoiding childhood obesity and reduce the risk of developing diseases associated with being overweight.

To enter, the children simply need to prepare a dish they consider to be healthy and take a photograph of the food. The photo and accompanying recipe text should be uploaded at www.kentcooks.co.uk.

Kent Cooks has a Masterchef-style final at the end of the year where a panel of food industry experts choose the category winners and decide which of them deserves the accolade of best child chef in the county.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team which organises Kent Cooks said: "This competition is a great way to encourage children with an interest in cookery as well as foster awareness about nutrition and healthy living."

He added: "Our contestants' parents are often pleasantly surprised by how adept their children are in the kitchen. They're so keen to learn and delighted to spend time with mum or dad."

Finalists will compete for a share of the £500 prize money at the competition final on November 26 at East Kent College, Broadstairs.

To find out more or submit an entry, visit www.kentcooks.co.uk.

Sponsors include Mini Babybel, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Countrystyle Recycling, Kent Cookery School, Brakes, East Kent College, Orbit South, S.E. Medical, VooServers, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), DFDS Seaways, Best Western Abbots Barton Hotel, PaulBabra.co.uk, and Licensing Consultancy Services.