Schoolchildren have learned important lessons about healthy eating during the city's annual celebration of food.

York Food and Drink Festival gave youngsters from Clifton Green Primary School the chance to discover more about where their favourite vegetables come from as part of a unique programme at the Guildhall.

Year 5 and Year 6 pupils cooked pizzas and planted a range of vegetable seeds that will later be transferred to their school's allotment in six weeks.

Ann Prier, a teaching assistant at Clifton Green, said pupils are passionate about gardening.

She said: "Some of us made pizzas, some made cheesy bread and another group were identifying seeds and plants.

"They were planting herbs so had trays of small bulbs to transfer into pots which will be taken away from by the gardener who will nurture them for the next six weeks before bringing them back to school where the children will plant them in their allotment.

"The school tries to get the message across on healthy eating.

"We have our own allotment where our own teaching assistant takes food technology, so they know the basics of cooking and where food comes from, to get them away from pre-packed food.

"They love doing this and thoroughly enjoyed the morning."

The festival runs in various locations across the city until Sunday and includes a taste trail for food-lovers to sample offerings from restaurants and delis, cooking demonstrations and workshops for families.

Throughout the week, El Piano, a vegetarian-based restaurant on Grape Lane, is offering diners a chance to eat for £5 when they sit at their community table between noon and 1.30pm.

Entrance to the demonstrations, some workshops and the market, is free.

For information on the whole programme and for ticket reservations visit the festival website www.yorkfoodfestival.com