SCHOOLCHILDREN are to be given the chance to select a healthy dish of the day.

Middlesbrough Council is developing a range of meals that focus on dietary needs, and is calling on catering staff, children and parents to have an input into the school meals menu.

The children's ideas can then be recommended by the council's scrutiny panel, so improvements can be made to the service which caters for two out of three primary pupils and about half of all secondary school students.

Councillor Linda Wilson, chairwoman of the panel, said: "Over the next three months, we'll be talking to staff, parents and pupils and visiting at least one school.

"We hope we can come up with some constructive suggestions on a service which can make a significant contribution to better health."

As part of the programme to improve school meals, the council has stopped serving products with mechanically-recovered meat and is working to reduce the salt, sugar and fat content of foods.

To make comments to the panel, contact the scrutiny support officer, Alan Crawford, on (01642) 729707.