NEW research released by Actimel for Kids reveals that almost two thirds of parents in Manchester - 60 per cent - think their children are fussier than they were as children, with half admitting to feeling under pressure to be more adventurous in the kitchen.

The report, commissioned by the new Actimel yogurt drink for kids, highlights that almost three quarters - 76 per cent - of parents in Manchester believe their children are far more aware of the foods they like and don’t like than they were as youngsters - making the task of keeping hungry tummies happy harder than ever before.

To offer parents a helping hand with their fussy foodies, Actimel for Kids has teamed-up with singer and mum-of-three Sophie Ellis-Bextor alongside creative food artist and dad-of-two Mark Northeast to launch a series of quick and easy 'how to' videos; offering tips on making fun, artistic and nutritious food options. With choices for breakfast, lunch and snack-time, each recipe has been designed to look great and satisfy the taste buds of Britain's choosiest children.

In the survey of over 1,000 parents, 60% of parents in Manchester also cited the ever-increasing choice offered by supermarkets as a contributing factor to their child's fastidiousness, and nearly half - 40 per cent - of Manchurian parents acknowledged that more expansive travel and exposure to new cultures contributed to their strong-minded sons and decisive daughters.

However, it's not just culture but competitiveness that may also play a part in our kiddy critics, as one in ten - 11 per cent - of parents in Manchester confessed that 'one-upmanship' and outdoing their parental peers has led to their children eating more adventurous foods in a bid to make them stand out from others.

Angela McGee, Actimel Marketing Manager added, "When it comes to food and drink, children have more choice than ever before and it's really positive that their palates are continually being expanded. However, we can also appreciate the challenges that come with this to keep kids content, especially when parents do not have all day to slave away in the kitchen to deliver their delights.

* Anyone interested in watching the 'how to' videos should visit facebook.com/ActimelUK.