Many children do not get the subsidised milk

More than 1.3 million have a daily carton of milk in school, subsidised by the European Union, it says.

But this is mainly the youngest children and 90% of those aged between five and 11 do not receive the milk, it is claimed.

Many parents and teachers are not aware of the scheme, says the dairy industry, which organised School Milk Week.

The Dairy Industry Association and the Milk Development Council are behind the campaign, under which 50 schools get free milk this week.

Parents generally pay about 14p per day for their children to have a carton of milk.

Edmund Proffitt, from the Dairy Industry Association said: "The school milk scheme is an easy and cost effective way for parents to ensure that their children are benefiting from the nutrients contained in a glass of milk."

Around 25% of primary schools offer subsidised playtime milk for children aged 4 to 11 years, the organisations say.

They say half of the children receiving the milk are under five, meaning 90% of children from five to 11 do not have school milk.

Free milk for secondary schools was abolished in 1968, followed three years later with the end of free milk for children over the age of seven - a controversial decision made by the then education secretary, Margaret Thatcher.

The last free milk - for five to seven year olds - ended in 1980.