JAMIE Oliver may be cooking up delectable grub in dining halls across the country but, at one Newton school, healthy eating is already top of the class.

Apples, pasta and yoghurt were just a few of the items munched during lunchtime at Lyme Community Primary School on Friday as the Newton and Golborne Guardian found out.

Nutritious meals have been dished out at schools across Newton in a healthy eating initiative by St Helens Council.

Ken McNicholl, head of school catering at St Helens Council, said: "Although school meals are receiving bad publicity at the moment, it has been a top priority for us in recent years.

"Kids will choose what they want, so our ethos is to show them that a little bit of everything is necessary."

The Zone Diet provides pupils with different options every day, including one home-cooked meal, rotating on a six-week cycle.

Children have the choice of a hot or cold main, one portion of carbohydrates, a dessert and unlimited fruit and vegetables.

In addition, pupils aged four to seven are provided with milk and a selection of fruit during morning break times.

Nicole Hill, aged 10, said: "We all like the food here and it helps us to eat better when we go home. Instead of biscuits, teachers ask juniors to bring in fruit because we need five pieces a day."

Amy Cryley, aged six, said: "I've got carrots and an apple which are good for me. People should also go to the gym, and go skipping to be fit, so sometimes we can have sweets if we are good but kiwi fruit is lovely. Everyone likes our dinners but I think there could be more fresh stuff."

Christine Winstanley, head teacher at Lyme Primary School, said: "This school cannot stress the importance of healthy eating enough.

"It is a learn zone for education and lifestyles and we are here to teach the children and encourage parents to get involved. There is a definite link between concentration, attainment and eating well, which is continually improving as children's diets do."

Lyme youngsters were introduced to the merits of good nutrition last term, after receiving a £1,000 grant from St Helens Health Partnership to create a healthy lifestyle mural and video charting their progression.