Usually if you want a healthy diet, the first thing that has to stop is all those trips to the local takeaway.

But now a Wirral takeaway owner has joined forces with the council to bring a healthy eating message to local school children.

Wirral Globe:

This food group test helps pupils make healthy choices

Alan Lam from "The Healthy 1" in Rock Ferry joined officers from environmental health as they provided healthy cookery classes for children and parents from Bedford Drive Primary School as well as free food tastings and information and guidance.

"Takeaway for a Change" is a project aimed at improving the nutritional value of traditional fast food like pizzas, kebabs, Chinese takeaways and burgers and educating families to make healthier choices.

"The Healthy 1" is the only takeaway in the borough to be awarded a gold rating in the council’s Eat Well Wirral campaign.

Fiona Johnstone, Wirral’s director of public health, said: "It was great to see so many children and parents taking part in the event.

"The message is really getting through that you can still enjoy a takeaway, but in a healthy way.

"The families’ suggestions for healthy meals were mouth-watering."

Councillor Bernie Mooney, cabinet member for environmental protection, said: "Takeaway for a Change has raised awareness of an important issue with the next generation of Wirral young people.

Wirral Globe:

Nine-year-old Jay McMahon filling in a 'Takeaway for a Change' form

"These events give families the opportunity to see that healthy cooking and eating can be achieved with a few minor changes to your shopping list."

Leading up to the event, pupils had been creating posters about health and well-being and debating healthy eating.