Over 300,000 more healthy, balanced meals are now being served to pupils at Hampshire schools, as lunchtime take-up has soared over the last year.

The new figures bring the total number of meals provided by Hampshire County Council's Catering Service (HC3S) during the last financial year to 6.2million at primary schools across the county - an increase of 5.5% on the year before.

HC3S provides delicious, healthy and nutritionally balanced meals for over 440 primary and special schools plus 30 secondary schools across the county, using a vast array of ingredients from 26 local suppliers.

Throughout the year, pupils can select a main meal, a side helping of vegetables and salad and a dessert, which combine to make up a third of the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals for a child.

For two consecutive years, HC3S has also received approval from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) for its menu which this Summer Term includes MSC crumbed salmon. The MSC promotes the use of fish and seafood from sustainable stocks in order to protect and maintain the health of our oceans for generations to come.

HC3S continue to work with the Hyperactive Children's Support Group, ensuring that around 70 additives are banished from primary school meals.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Cllr Ken Thornber said: "A healthy diet is linked to improved wellbeing, better behaviour and an increased ability to learn and these results not only show the commitment of all HC3S staff in delivering healthy, balanced meals to school children across Hampshire, but also that meals meet the expectations of our pupils and parents. We always welcome feedback on what dishes youngsters enjoy and encourage children and their parents to keep telling us which are their favourites."

The price of a school meal is £2.00.

Parents and pupils can rate the meals and add their comments via special feedback pages - go to www.myschoollunch.co.uk/hampshire/parents/menu_vote.