A JAMIE Oliver-style healthy cooking course is being held on a Weston estate with the aim of increasing the life expectancy of south ward residents.

Councillor Ian Parker was alarmed by the findings of an NHS report published earlier this year which revealed the life expectancy of people in the ward is eight years’ less than those living in more affluent areas of North Somerset.

So he has made it his mission to help narrow the gap – firstly by asking the NHS to arrange smoking cessation classes on the Bournville, which were held earlier this year, and secondly to organise a cookery course.

Cllr Parker enlisted the help of Weston College, which donated �1,000 to fund the course, Lynn Winter from Bournville and Wyvern Extended Schools, and Adam Matthews, headteacher of Bournville Primary School.

The course has been running at the school since November and around 20 people have signed-up to it.

Cllr Parker said: “The NHS report made for shocking reading and the smoking cessation and healthy living classes, I hope, will help to change the life expectancy of people living in south ward.

“People seem to enjoy this new healthy eating course and are able to take the recipes home and pass them on to others.”

Lynn said: “The first six-week course completes this week and has included local parents and community members.

“It is important for us to get the message across that eating healthily does not need to be the expensive option or time consuming and can be a fantastic way to bring people together whether as friends or families.”