Health-conscious Trowbridge mums say they have learnt a lot from a hands-on healthy food course which they attended.

A seven-week course teaching them about budgeting for and preparing healthy meals comes to an end this week following a partnership between Trowbridge-based health food company Danone and Wiltshire Council.

Last week parents and their children, all aged between one and three years, tried their hand at warming winter recipes, such as sausage and bean casserole and spicy parsnip soup, when they met at the Longfield Children’s Centre for the ‘Hey!’ course.

The programme has covered healthy eating and lifestyles for adults and toddlers, budgeting and shopping, food safety and cooking.

Lunch for the parents and their children was also provided to encourage healthy eating and positive behaviours around eating.

Mum-of-two Leeandra Toop, from Ramsey Walk, said: “It has been good to find out tips on how to save money. We have been looking at budgets and I was surprised at how you can actually do quite a lot for nothing.”

The 30-year-old, who works for Wiltshire Police, added: “We have been making things to help develop our skills and it is nice that they have given up their time and resources to run the course.”

Sarah Morton, 22, from Sycamore Grove, said: “My partner Staszek is Polish and for the last four years we have been cooking just Polish food, so this course was fantastic for me as I was able to meet other mums and learn how to make those good traditional English dinners again.”

Helen Messenger, from Danone Baby Nutrition, said: “It has not just been about how you shop, but how you budget for food and how you choose healthy meals which are good for all the family.

“We’re really excited with the success we are having so far and are looking forward to rolling out the programme to more centres.”

Maggie Rae, director of public health at Wiltshire Council, said: “Nutrition and dietary habits established in a child’s early years can set a pattern for future health and eating behaviours.

“We are delighted to be supporting parents and little ones in our local community with practical and fun activities.”