Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage has helped Fishponds children towards healthier eating with a contribution to a new cookery book.

Pupils, parents and staff from St Matthias and Dr Bell's CEVA Primary School started work on the publication six months ago to introduce children to healthy recipes and enthuse them about cooking and preparing their own food.

The book also celebrates the cultural diversity in Fishponds, with recipe ideas from parents and friends of the school.

River Cottage author and TV celebrity Hugh provided two recipes for the children to try out to show them just how delicious fruit and vegetables can be.

Head teacher Mary Phipps said: "The end result of this exciting project is a reflection of the huge cultural mix here at St Matthias and Dr Bell's. We now have a very professionally produced, beautifully illustrated book that we hope will inspire even more children and their families to get cooking."

The book was launched on Friday with a cookery-focused day followed by a school dinner with a difference.

Eden Food Service and the school's kitchen staff agreed to change the menu for the day and cook three of the recipes from the book for the children to savour.

The book also went on sale to the parents for the first time on this day at the Christmas fair.