More please ... as pupils tuck in to festive menu

St Mary's Catholic Primary School joined with catering company Scolarest to put on a festive menu.

The main course featured roast turkey, sage-and-onion stuffing, chipolatas, carrots and peas.

A vegetarian alternative was available.

Some 120 children sat down for the tasty treat. Among them was Ellie Heselton (eight). She said: 'The meal was really tasty and I liked all of it.

'I had been looking forward to eating it.'

Her friend, Millie Nicholson, who is also eight, commented: 'The meal was really nice.

'I have a hot meal at school every lunchtime. You get more selection than if you have a packed lunch.'

The meal was made possible after St Mary's began to use the Esteam schools meals system provided by Scolarest through its contract with the county council.

Headteacher Katharine Amaladoss said: 'It's lovely to have been able to serve a hot Christmas lunch at St Mary's this year.'