Residents in south London have been learning how to use a slow cooker to dish up healthy meals on a budget for their families.

Sutton Council has been providing free lessons at “Slow Cooker Club” in an effort to tackle food poverty in the area.

The local authority said it was also using the club to provide helpful advice to lower income and vulnerable residents.

Family Hubs and Children’s Centres lead Claire Borg, who came up with the idea, said: “I had no idea the course would be so popular.”

“The Slow Cooker Club started off as an idea of how we could further support local families in Sutton with the cost of living, isolation and healthy eating,” she said.

Ms Borg added that the feedback from parents specifically had been “overwhelming”.

Charlie, one of the course students, said: “The course is very informative and the tutors were very helpful and encouraging.

“I now feel confident in some staple dishes to cook for my daughter.”

The local authority provided the slow cooker classes over the course of four weeks.

During the lessons, people were taught how to cook low-cost, healthy meals and they were then given the ingredients to practice at home.

Those who took part also received a free slow cooker.

Funding for the lessons came from the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s as an external community grant.

Ms Borg said she was particularly proud that the course was able to help some mothers in the local community who felt isolated.

Now the team is seeking more funding so they can run the course again.