LOCALLY produced food is going down a treat at lunchtimes at Bredon Hill Middle School, Ashton-under-Hill, and the dining room is being extended to cope with demand.

Fran Webb, of Vale-based Food Marketing Services, was inspired to contact local schools after attending a school dinners conference and then met with Judith Craddock, head cook at BHMS, after a Journal report about her search for locally produced food for her kitchen at the school.

With Martin Haines, of quality award-winning farmers W.R. Haines (Leasow Farms) Ltd, of Chipping Campden, a member of Linking Environment and Farming and committed to a viable agricultural policy to conserve the environment for future generations, she is now supplying local seasonal vegetables and fruit along with omega 3 enriched eggs.

"The food has gone down very well," she said. "BHMS now has plans to extend its dining hall to accommodate extra pupils and encourage a better eating environment and from the end of January meals will prepared at BHMS will be supplied to Ashton-under-Hill First School."

Any surplus generated from the venture will be put towards improving kitchen equipment at BHMS.

The healthy eating programme has the full backing of BHMS headmaster David Doubtfire and a working party involving his staff, school governors, and parents. "It is a real success story," Mr Doubtfire said. "Everyone is very enthusiastic about it and I am sure it is something that will grow and spread to more schools."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the school food project can contact Fran Webb on 01386 870889.