Pupils at Southend's primary and special schools will be tucking into a tasty new menu after councillors rubber-stamped a new catering contract.

Members of the ratification committee have agreed to the Initial Catering Services, (ICS), the largest caterer to primary schools in the country, taking over the provision of school meals.

It will cover specified schools in the borough for four years until spring 2004.

In addition, councillors also decided to keep the price of meals in those schools at the same level - £1.25 per meal - for the next financial year.

Mary Lubel, executive councillor for education and lifelong learning said: "Initial Catering Services provided an exciting bid which included more menu choices and more fresh food to encourage healthy eating.

"I am particularly pleased we will be able to keep school meals at the same price as they currently are for another year.

"I hope we can work in partnership with ICS to provide a good quality school meals service."

ICS will take over the provision of meals in primary and special schools from April 15. Catering staff who are currently employed to provide school meals in Southend will be transfer ed over to the new company.

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