CHIPS and pizzas are off the menu, replaced by pears and pineapples at one health-conscious Worcester school.

Pupils, parents and children packed the hall at Warndon Primary School, Edgeworth Close, Warndon, for Healthy Breakfast Week.

The only snag was they had to come in an hour early to sample the cuisine which included croissants, fresh fruit, fruit juice and low-fat breakfast cereals, instead of fried eggs and fizzy pop.

The event, held between Monday, March 19 and Friday, March 23, was thrown open to every pupil in the school, their parents and teachers.

Only five pupils expressed any reservations and they were quickly talked around by teachers.

Lynda Morgan, a year six teacher, said the idea had been devised by a former part-time teacher, Janine Burton, to ensure children were happier and healthier.

Mrs Morgan said: "Everyone was invited to come in to school at 8.15am and eat a healthy breakfast together. They could even go back and have seconds and thirds if they wanted. It was a really successful week and each day the hall was packed - we even ran out of some of the foods.

"It is the first time parents, pupils and teachers have sat down and eaten breakfast together. I have never seen some of the children with fresh fruit.

"Part of the aim is to combat obesity. Some children used to come in with two doughnuts and a sausage roll but I haven't seen that for over a year now."

The school now runs a breakfast club every day for children, serving jacket potatoes, salads, fruit and yoghurt. The menu is also planned four weeks ahead, so children can place orders in advance.

It was the first time a healthy breakfast week had been held at the school but teachers are now considering having one every term to promote healthy eating and forge a closer relationship between parents and the school's teachers.