JAMIE Oliver seems to think that throwing more money at schools will somehow improve the school meals situation.

The problem started in Worcester in the 1980s when the then Tory-run county council scrapped the well-run school meals, sold all the equipment off for pennies, and closed down most of the kitchens.

At the time, I wrote to the Chairman for Education, Dr David Muffett in protest. He said the money was needed elsewhere in the education system.

What we need now is a state-run school meals system, new kitchens, fully trained staff and college trained cooks.

As a former school meals cook, I would say it's time to bring back real cooking lessons in schools.

JOY TURNER,

Northfield Street,

Worcester.