MOUNTJOY School pupils in Beaminster got to use their noddles to celebrate Chinese New Year this week.

A host of fun activities were planned to help the children learn about traditional Chinese culture and cuisine.

They learnt about Chinese New Year through cooking, art, dance and sensory sessions.

On Monday the day started with a visit from BBC MasterChef winner, Mat Follas. Mat, who is a governor at the school, was there to cook noodles with the children and to demonstrate the exotic aromas of Chinese cuisine.

The children also decorated cakes with monkey faces to celebrate the year of the monkey.

Maple class teaching assistant, Davina Pennels, said: “The children have learnt so much today. There was something for everyone; whether it was food, dance or art, all the children were able to get involved and enjoy the day.“

Mat, who won BBC MasterChef in 2009, said: “It’s wonderful to visit the children. We cooked noodles with lots of lovely savoury flavours and aromas like sesame, soy sauce and garlic; the children loved tasting the different flavours. It was brilliant fun.”

Mountjoy School caters for children with a range of complex needs including autistic spectrum disorders and moderate to severe learning difficulties.

Head teacher, Jackie Shanks, said: “It’s great for the children to have the opportunity to learn about different cultures and religions. It broadens their horizons and introduces them to, what is for some, a completely new experience.”

Mat won the BBC TV series MasterChef in 2009, then opened his award winning restaurant, The Wild Garlic; his current restaurant is at The Casterbridge Hotel in Dorchester, Dorset.

Mat regularly runs courses on foraging and wild plants and his recipes are published in a variety of magazines. Following on from the success of his first book, Fish, his second book, Vegetable Perfection, is due for publication in April 2016. Mat often judges food competitions and is a regular judge for BBC MasterChef, The Great Taste awards and the World Cheese awards. Mats latest venture is Bramble Cafe & Deli, which will be opening in Poundbury, Dorchester, in March.