Pilot for free school meals

Primary schools across Rochdale could receive free school meals under a Government pilot scheme.

Rochdale is one of the town's that has been invited to submit a bid to run a free school meal pilot starting in September.

Rochdale is one of 31 areas in the country that is eligible to apply for funding for the scheme. The Government will pay £20million for three local authorities to run the scheme for at least two years.

Two of the areas will give free school dinners to all primary school children and the third will extend the availability of free meals to primary and secondary school pupils.

The leader of the Rochdale Labour Group, Councillor Colin Lambert has welcomed the opportunity for Rochdale to bid to become one of the pilots.

"Good health, good diet and education and employment are fundamental to the future of our children," he said. "Nutritional lunches in school can make eating a healthy diet habit throughout life a natural action. Good diet is vital for children both in health and learning."