PEOPLE from black and ethnic minority communities in Southampton are being invited to take part in a cookery course to encourage them to eat healthily.

Southampton City Council has joined forces with a variety of organisations to encourage people from ethnic groups to get passionate about good and healthy food.

Organisers hope the two-day project, which runs from September 4 to 5 will lead others to start community cookery groups in their neighbourhoods.

The course will be held from 10am to 4pm at Northam Community Centre in Kent Street.

A spokesman from the West Itchen Community Trust said: “We’re trying to tackle issues that relate to people from black and ethnic minorities.

“According to the census lots of people from those backgrounds suffer from conditions such as diabetes.

“People tend to respond better to teaching when they are being taught by people from similar backgrounds.

“We’re reaching out to people in the black and ethnic minority groups.

“Southampton is quite a transient city with lots of different minorities. We’re trying to make sure that these people are being properly educated and make sure that they stay healthy.”

To book contact kolade@wict.co.uk or razia@wict.co.uk or ring 023 8038 8580.