PUPILS are being urged to create edible playgrounds' at their schools in Dorset.

Dorset Cereals has become involved in the project to encourage youngsters to plant vegetable gardens.

Now it has teamed up with gardeners, chefs and education experts for a website at www.edibleplaygrounds.co.uk to help schools in Dorset and across the country to join in the scheme.

The Edible Playgrounds project launched as a community project in May 2007 by Screen Bites: Dorset's Food Film Festival.

Dorset Cereals director Patrick Horton said: "We became aware of the Edible Playgrounds initiative last year, and we are very keen to help expand this wonderful Dorset-based project to a wider number of schools.

"Our website combined with our show gardens at the Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows will act as a platform to spread the message of how children can become involved in growing, tasting and cooking their own food."

The Dorset Cereals' team is exhibiting two show gardens based on the Edible Playgrounds' theme at this year's Chelsea Flower Show form May 19 to 24 and Hampton Court Flower Show from July 8 to 12.