THE cost of school dinners is going up for the start of the new term in September.

Rising fuel and food prices mean the price of meals in Wilmslow schools is being increased.

Families will have to pay 10p more per meal taking the cost of a school meal in primary schools to £2 and £2,15 for secondary schools.

Councillor Paul Findlow, Portfolio Holder for Children and Family Services, said: "While the Council is committed to providing a balanced midday meal of high nutritional value to pupils at all its schools, costs of delivering the service have risen.

"Increased food and fuel costs have had a significant impact on delivery of the service and Cheshire East Catering, the Council division which provides the lunches, will implement the price increases from September.

"The move will bring Cheshire East Council into line with most other local authorities which have introduced differentiating pricing within secondary and primary schools, due to different portion sizing and service provision.

"The Government subsidises school meals but the bulk of the cost is picked up by local authorities."

Cheshire East Council currently serves up more than 17,000 meals each day to schoolchildren.

Each day they can tuck into a two-course meal made freshly on the premises.

High school pupils also have the option of filling their plates in ‘cash cafeterias’ where they can buy sandwiches and select from the salad bar.

Coun Findlow says all meals are provided in line with Government guidelines on nutritional value as well as being child-friendly and appetising.

The calorific value is also a consideration and menus are devised to cut out stodge but still appeal to the youngsters who by lunchtime need their energy levels topping up, especially if they have missed breakfast.