YOUNGSTERS who grew their own pumpkins have now seen them turned into soup.

And in an extra boost for the teenagers working with Mirfield charity Ambitions4Kirklees, their details will appear on the labels for the soup packaging.

It delighted the youngsters, who all have learning difficulties and they got the chance to say “thanks” to caterer Mike Wood.

Wood is owner of Dewsbury-based The Good Soup Company and turned the youngsters’ pumpkins into a spicy pumpkin and coconut soup.

It has now gone on sale to hotels, restaurants and kitchens across the region.

And part of the proceeds are being given back to the charity, which helps a number of young people.

Ambitions has been set up to provide opportunities for young people with learning difficulties to build the skills they need for work and independent living.

Many are disabled but they get the chance to learn new skills through practical experiences and supported work placements within their own local community and culture.

The Good Soup Business was started in 2005 by Wood and partner Wendy.

They began by making soups in their own kitchen and their first sales were made at Penistone Farmers Market.

Now the company is based at a local enterprise centre in Dewsbury, owned and managed by Kirklees Council, working from purpose-built food preparation kitchens designed to help small local businesses get established and develop.

Wood said: “My background was in hotels and catering but I then ran a flooring business for 25 years before ill-health hit me.

“I have enjoyed working with the charity and they are a great bunch of young people.

“I met them while giving a talk and they mentioned they had been growing pumpkins.

“They did not know what to do with them once they had been harvested so I offered to take them off their hands.

“We came up with a great spicy soup, featuring the pumpkin and coconut, and it has gone down very well.

“I make sure that on the labels my customers know where the ingredients have been sourced and the kids were delighted to see themselves featured.

“Hopefully we can work together again”.