SIXTH formers at John Bentley School, Calne, were given a practical demonstration of student cooking last week, to prepare them for leaving home and fending for themselves on a budget.

Head of sixth form Ian Stannett, head of art Allan Aggett and Andrea Parkes, who teaches textiles, donned their aprons and got stuck in with saucepans and spoons to come up with three different, yet economical, menus.

The only hitch was they had to cook the three-course meal for six on a budget of just £5.

Mr Stannett's menu centred around a spicy curry, Mr Aggett chose celery soup and pasta and Miss Parkes went for a vegetarian theme.

The A-level students, many of whom will be leaving home for the first time in September, then came up with their own versions of the menus.

Mr Stannett said: "Students are being prepared for living away from home on a budget and before doing this we did a general session on living expenses. Students had demonstrations from experienced chefs and try different recipes."