EDUCATION bosses in the region have moved to reassure parents and pupils that school meals are not affected by the horsemeat scare.

No schools in the North-East and North Yorkshire have admitted to withdrawing beef products from their menus in the wake of the scandal.

Caroline O’Neill, head of education for Durham County Council, said: “More than 90 per cent of the food served in our schools is made from fresh, raw ingredients, prepared and cooked on site.

“We use a very small amount of pre-prepared foods such as sausages but all of our meat is British Red Tractor farm-assured, guaranteeing its quality and origin.”

Other local education authorities to offer reassurance to parents and students over school meals include Stockton Borough Council, Darlington Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.