A SCHOOL in Worcester that transformed its lunch menus using Weight Watchers-style meals in a bid to combat obesity among pupils has come out top of the class.

Nunnery Wood High School's catering chief, Rose Osborne, decided to produce pupils' meals based on the famous diet's recipes after losing six stone herself through Weight Watchers and then becoming a leader of one of the slimming group's clubs.

"I thought it would be a good idea to adapt some of the recipes for schools and now every time a new Weight Watchers cook book comes out we look at new menus," said Mrs Osborne.

"Adults in my club love it so I knew the children would too. They know it's healthy for them and they still get to eat all the food they like but low fat versions."

Mrs Osborne transformed the menus 12 months ago after the school took over its own catering from private contractors.

Out went the decaying kitchen and deep fat fryer, and in came a new £100,000 set up - complete with healthy grills.

"From what I'm told, before we took over if the food couldn't be fried then it was off the menu," said Mrs Osborne.

The pupils now are treated to a host of healthier treats, including stuffed peppers, roast dinners packed full of vegetables and salad-filled baguettes.

And Mrs Osborne has many tricks up her sleeves to help the youngsters eat lower fat food - without them even realising it.

She makes trifles and cookies using sugar-free recipes, fruit "slush ice" drinks minus the additives and colourings, mixes white and wheat rice together for extra fibre and mixes low-fat cheese with mature cheddar to reduce the fat levels.

"This time last year the children wouldn't eat salad but now they eat more salad than anything else, which is fantastic," she added.

Now the school, along with two others in the city - Dines Green Primary School and Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Primary School - have won a Heartbeat Award for their efforts to introduce healthier eating.

South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and Worcester City Council issued the prestigious awards, which consist of rigorous dietary, environmental and hygiene standards that were all passed by the three schools.