The six-session workshop aims to teach young people how to become cooks for life.

The course, which has been organised by Peterborough City Council and Waitrose supermarket, will kick off on Monday.

The first of the sessions in the Working with Waitrose Cooks for Life programme will be held in at Waitrose, in the Queensgate Centre, Peterborough, at 5pm.

The course teaches pupils basic cooking skills, how to budget, how to choose healthy foods and how to cook a range of simple nutritious meals.

The city council's senior secondary vocational teacher advisor, Sheila Brown, said: "The course is aimed at pupils with little or no cooking or budgeting experience. All pupils will receive a recipe book and an essential piece of kitchen equipment.

"They will also take away a set of useful recipes each week. The pupil who makes the most progress will receive a set of kitchen utensils."

The remainder of the sessions will be held at Ken Stimpson Community School, in Staniland Way, Werrington, on February 18 and 25, and March 3, 10 and 17.

Each session lasts for an hour and 30 minutes.

There are only 16 places on the course, which is open to pupils in Year 13 and Year 12, if there are any spaces left.

Application forms are available from school sixth- form managers. Pupils should include their home contact details.

nForms can also be obtained from Sheila Brown by calling 01733 746016. Completed forms should be sent to Sheila Brown, 2nd Floor, Bayard Place, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1FB.