A PARENTS' cookery class has become a YouTube hit - with tots joining in the tasty fun.

Catherine McIntyre, family support worker at Rainbow Family Centre, has switched her popular sessions at the complex online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the switch, families have been as enthusiastic as ever to learn the best way to cook a healthy nutritious meal and delicious dessert.

Catherine said: "I usually run the classes in the nursery over six weeks

"They have always been popular and there is always a waiting list for people to join.

"To be honest the sessions are so much more than cookery classes. They are all about interaction between parents and building links within the community."

On the menu are easy recipes to get folk of all abilities started in the kitchen, such as chicken and rice soup and banana bread.

When coronavirus struck, the group received a grant through secured by Cathy Tearne, senior improvement officer at the health and social care partnership, to support the classes moving online.

Catherine said: "All utensils and ingredients are delivered to the family homes on Thursday so everyone has what they need then the class runs on a Friday at 10am."

She said there is also input from parents over what they want to make, with spaghetti bolognese and lasagne proving firm favourites.

Catherine added: "It is part of my early interventions with parents. It's about building up relationships.

"The kids are also loving getting involved and cooking with their parents at home."

A member of staff films Catherine and the classes are streamed on YouTube, as well as being posted on the nursery's Twitter and Facebook pages.

The team at Rainbow is also growing its own food to help with ingredients and received a small grant from the Soil Association to support that side of the project.