SHOPPERS at Sainsbury’s in Worle were surprises as John Penrose went behind the food counter, helping to prepare pizzas and serve customers.

The Weston MP was there to learn about preparing food and serving patrons, and the importance of safety and hygiene when working with food.

Staff from the Worle branch are among 22,000 nationally working on the food counters, bakeries and cafes who have received job-specific City and Guild accredited training at seven food colleges in the UK.

The teams are trained on product knowledge, knife and preparation skills, sales, customer service and merchandise.

Mr Penrose said: “I was delighted to spend some time with Simon, Sam and their colleagues working behind the deli counter at our local Sainsbury’s.

“The new food College training programmes mean they’re far more skilful at preparing delicious food than me, but they showed me the ropes, and even helped me make a margherita pizza for my family too.”