The Borrell family from South Shields has been crowned 'Waste Not Want Not' champions for successfully slashing their food waste in a competition.

Vicky and David Borrell, 31, and baby Isaac, one, took the top prize by managing to cut their food waste by 100 per cent – and save about £57 a week on their grocery bill by doing so.

They beat off stiff competition from eight other local families who took part in the contest to reduce their food waste.

All the contestants turned from 'food wasters' to 'cash savers' thanks to the competition which was run by the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership.

The families, from South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland, battled it out in a six-week challenge to see how much they could reduce their food waste by, in order to benefit the environment and save money.

Contestants learned easy ways to reduce food waste, including measuring correct portions, learning how to use leftovers and planning meals.

They also mastered the art of composting and using a wormery or a bokashi (composting container) to dispose of any food scraps.

The contestants managed to slash their food waste from between 16 per cent and 100 per cent, which resulted in savings of between £15 and a staggering £90 per week.

Mrs Borrell said: "We are thoroughly surprised and delighted to be the winners.

"We found that by planning meals and by making bigger meals, that allowed us to freeze an extra portion for later, really helped us reduce waste.

"Using an indoor food digester called a Bokashi meant we could compost all food scraps too, even cooked food, so we have absolutely no food waste at all now, which is fantastic."

The Borrells won £250 worth of eco gadgets for their home, and were presented with their prize at an event at the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland, earlier this week.

The average family wastes £610 a year by throwing food away, according to research.

When food breaks down in landfills it creates the greenhouse gas methane which causes climate change.

The aim of the contest was to show people how much money they can save, and how they can benefit the environment, by ensuring food doesn't end up in landfills.

Coun Michael McNestry, chairman of the South Tyne and Wear Waste Management Partnership, said: "The savings these families have achieved, just by taking a few simple steps to reduce their food waste, are staggering."

Anyone interested in learning how to reduce food waste and save money can log onto www.southtyneside.info/lovefood