A DUDLEY schoolgirl got a taste of life in the corridors of power after creating a healthy recipe to tackle obesity.

Iqrah Shokat, a year eight pupil at Holly Hall Academy, was among a group of youngsters who met the Prime Minister’s wife, Samantha Cameron, during a visit to ten Downing Street.

The visit took place to mark National Obesity Awareness Week (January 13 to 19) and was top prize for the winners of a healthy living competition.

He prize also included funding of up to £10,000 from competition partners Disney for the creation of a healthy outdoor space at the Scotts Green Close school.

Graham Lloyd, Principal of The Holly Hall Academy said: "This is an outstanding achievement. We are all very proud of Iqrah. The support and funding from Disney UK for the new outdoor area will help us to deliver our vision of healthy minds in healthy bodies."

The competition was launched in October as part of the preparations for the National Obesity Forum’s National Obesity Awareness Week to promote healthy living.

Young people across the country were asked to create a picture of a healthy meal or packed lunch or their own healthy recipe.

Competition judge, child nutritionist Annabel Karmel, said: “I was delighted with the standard of entries; this competition has been a fantastic way to encourage youngsters to think about and understand the importance of eating a well-balanced diet. Childhood obesity is a major problem, so we need to instil a love of good, healthy food through fun, engaging initiatives such as this.”

More than 20 per cent of children in the UK are believed to be obese, for more information visit www.noaw2014.org.uk