PARENTS could soon be forced out of the kitchen by a group of food loving Norfolk youngsters who are discovering the joys of cooking.Since September children aged 20 months to four-years-old have been making their own cakes, cheesy treats, pizzas, apple crumbles and salads in Martham, near Yarmouth.

PARENTS could soon be forced out of the kitchen by a group of food loving Norfolk youngsters who are discovering the joys of cooking.

Since September children aged 20 months to four-years-old have been making their own cakes, cheesy treats, pizzas, apple crumbles and salads in Martham, near Yarmouth.

The Big Cook Little Cook sessions at the Trinity Children's Centre see tots and toddlers learn about healthy eating, preparing food properly and the importance of washing their hands before cooking.

By going to the five weekly sessions, local families could help buck the national trend of children eating unhealthily, with 80pc of children consuming more than the recommend level of sugar and one in five not tucking into any fruit at all.

And as well as developing healthier tasters by munching tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and fruits, the children are also increasingly taking over their parents' kitchens as they show off their culinary skills.

For two-and-half-year-old Elliot Brooke the sessions have helped the youngster get over what his mother called “fussy” eating.

After making a wide range of tasty treats, Elliot now likes nothing better than tucking into tomatoes, peppers and salad filled wraps.

His mother Pearl Brooke, 36 and from Martham, said: “He was not interested in fruit and vegetables - but now he loves them.

“And he absolutely loves cooking now - he won't let me in the kitchen.”

The next set of Big Cook Little Cook sessions, which cost �2 to attend, will start running from September.

Any families from Martham and the surrounding communities who are interested in signing up should call 01493 740242.