FARMERS are calling for schools to introduce milk vending machines.

The appeal has come from Cheshire's branch of the National Farmers' Union - who want to see more milk in schools.

Doreen Manning, chairman of the Cheshire Women's Farming Union, said: "With lives becoming increasingly busy, many children miss breakfast and teachers are concerned that concentration levels are being affected.

"If children could get a carton of milk at break time, this would aid their concentration."

The call comes after farmers took free milk to schools around the county.

At the moment 50% of Cheshire schools supply free milk - but farmers want to see this in every classroom.

Keith Holland, from the NFU, said: "I was staggered by the number of young people who actually came up and asked me if we could provide milk vending machines in their schools."

The unions have been lobbying the government for free milk for several months, and are now urging PTA groups and governors to include free milk in their funding proposals for next year.

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