A GREAT British Bake Off finalist has been sampling the culinary creations of Wharfedale schoolchildren.

Sandy Docherty visited Prince Henry's Grammar School last Wednesday, to judge the grand final of the Otley, Pool and Bramhope Cluster Power Up Your Pack Up! contest.

The competition, to produce a healthy pack lunch, saw finalists from six primary schools using the food technology facilities at Prince Henry's to create their own healthy snacks from scratch.

Ms Docherty praised the high standard of the entries and sampled everything, from freshly-made muffins to quesadillas, pasta and rice salads and sandwiches.

She told the Key Stage 2 pupils: "You should be very proud.

"You have made amazing food – you have a lot of food to eat over the years, so you might was well make it delicious and fun!"

Matthew Cooper, from Otley All Saints Primary School, was named the winner, with his homemade blueberry muffins earning him the prize of a smoothie maker and basket of fruit, donated by Sainsbury's.

The other finalists received 'goodie bags' filled with cooking utensils, water bottles and healthy snacks.

Key Stage One pupils also took part in the competition and won goodie bags for their healthy, funny food face designs.

Pool-in-Wharfedale C of E Primary School headteacher, Sally Fox, who led the competition for the Cluster, said: "It’s the first time we’ve organised a competition like this, and whilst it’s been great fun for the children to get involved in, it’s also really helped our Cluster in raising awareness of the importance of eating healthily.

"The school champions who took part in the grand final were amazing – independent, confident and really up for the challenge! We’ll definitely do this again."

Finalists came from Ashfield, The Whartons, Westgate and All Saints C of E Primary in Otley, Pool C of E Primary and Bramhope Primary.