Government spending cuts could hamper the eating habits of young people, TV chef Jamie Oliver has suggested.

The Essex-born star, who last month heard that his Ministry of Food centres are under threat, said in an interview with the Guardian that they have been a huge success and he cannot afford to fund them himself.

He told the newspaper: "We do about 8,000 people a year from one little cheap £130,000 setup grant from Rotherham council.

"We're fully booked, we're busy. It works. But they're all looking at me now for money, and the thing is I don't have it."

Jamie's Ministries of Food, which have been established in four cities in the UK, aim to encourage youngsters to learn to cook and have fun eating together with healthier meals.

His latest TV series, Jamie's 30 Minute Meals, began broadcasting last night (October 11th) on Channel 4 and aims to show how great home cooking does not have to take all evening.