SCHOOL meals aren't what they once were - much to the relief of young diners.

Many years ago, meals served during the lunchtime break were the stuff of many jokes.

But things have now changed and to prove it North Yorkshire County Council caterers cooked up a selection of tasty school meals, made with local produce, at the Dales Festival of Food and Drink at Leyburn.

The display was highlighting a pilot scheme, launched earlier this year, to encourage schools to use local food produce.

On the same day, young people from two primary schools and the secondary school involved in the pilot in the Richmond area gave a special presentation to show their appreciation of Dales food, including poems and artwork to illustrate their approval of the new school meals, and the importance of eating healthily.