School dinners may no longer be the butt of jokes

The take-up of school meals slumped in the 1980s when the service became optional for local authorities.

But traditional favourites such as bangers and mash followed by sponge pudding and custard are now making a comeback.

A school in Cornwall has even asked for help from a local chef to help make its meals more appealing.

The young gourmets at St Francis's School decided to enlist local restaurateur Kevin Viner as one of their dinner ladies for the day.

Adding a few herbs to St Francis's special pizza

He dug out some mozzarella and olives and rustled up a special pizza to tickle their tastebuds.

And the verdict from his demanding diners?

A female client gushed: "I tried the pizza and it was kinda different - it had loads of veg on it. It was very strong and juicy."

A male diner was less enthusiastic: "It was okay. I suppose but I wouldn't eat it every day."