Ref. 12580/1A TRIAL scheme to reintroduce hot lunches at Bishops Cannings Primary School has been so popular it could become permanent.

The school stopped providing hot meals nearly three years ago when changes were made to the way school meals were provided.

The kitchen and hall were converted into a library, resources and teaching area, and since then pupils have brought sandwiches for lunch. Pupils who qualified for free school meals also had sandwiches provided by a local firm.

But when a new kitchen area was created in an extension at the school, the governors decided to reintroduce hot meals.

The meals are provided by Sodexho, the county council's contractor, and delivered to the school.

The trial began five weeks ago and 75 pupils are now buying hot meals.

They are given a choice of two main courses or a vegetarian option, with fresh salad or vegetables, a pudding and fresh fruit for £1.70.

David Wade, the school's headteacher, said: "The take-up has been very good. We have 167 pupils and I thought if we could get 40 pupils signed up that would be good, but we've exceeded that and because the demand is there we will keep it permanently.

"The numbers had dropped to about 30 when the arrangements changed in April 2001, and it was going to be more expensive to provide hot meals. The governors didn't want to subsidise it."

Mr Wade said: "The pupils who are having hot meals love them and so do the parents as they don't have to prepare a sandwich box. When you look at what's in some sandwich boxes it probably costs at least £1.70."