A SECONDARY school has become the first in South Lakeland to be given a 'Healthier Menus for Schools' award.

Cartmel Priory School has been praised for adhering to strict criteria set out by Cumbria County Council when it comes to the food and drink on offer on site.

"We're extremely pleased," said a spokeswoman for the school. "At the end of the day we were previously a very healthy school so we applied for the award and told them all we'd done.

"It is a very strict criteria but it's important the pupils eat healthily."

The rules the school had to stick to included a complete ban on items such as crisps, chocolate and sweets.

The vending machines all now stock foods such as dried fruit and nuts, while healthy foods are marketed more prominently in the canteen.

Three days a week the school has to substitute a meat or fish in its meals for a different kind of protein such as beans or lentils.

And no pupils are allowed to buy a pudding alone - but must instead order a complete meal with a healthy main course.

"We've got to educate the children about why we're selling these healthy options," continued the spokeswoman.

"That's done through PSHE lessons and every year each class will have the option of going into the dining room to ask questions of the catering manager.

"This allows them to make their own suggestions."

The healthy menus will be themed throughout the year to coincide with holidays, festivities and even school trips.

Three secondary schools across South Lakeland - Cartmel Priory, Queen Katherine in Kendal and Settlebeck in Sedbergh - are tackling obesity by taking part in the county-wide initiative.

SLDC’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, Cllr Graham Vincent, presented the school with the award and said: “This is a great scheme for schools to get involved with. It is very important to encourage children to pick healthier food to reduce health problems associated with diet."

“This award helps us to achieve our council plan commitment to enable health improvements through collaborative and preventative action, targeted at addressing health needs and reducing health inequalities.”