Dozens of catering students got their hands dirty in a “field to table” course in Suffolk.

The youngsters from New City College spent half a day foraging and planting a herb garden and the second half creating dishes with professional chefs.

The course in Blakenham was run by healthy eating charity Root Camp UK.

Tariq Mohamed, 19, said : “It was great to get out and see where all the herbs come from!”

Root Camp CEO Cassia Kidron added: “It was a delight to see aspiring chefs planting herbs, foraging and exploring new tastes in their cooking.

“I don’t think any one of the groups had cooked in a chicken shed before! Nor with pine needles, elderflower and mallow - and it was a blue-skied day – so we ate all our meals outside, from platters heaped with delicious food. The whole environment seemed to allow for exploration, enquiry – and joy.”

For more on Root Camp, click here.