Jamie Oliver has campaigned for better school dinners

The School Meals Scrutiny Report looked at how meals vary at primary and secondary schools across the county.

Other improvements suggested are the removal of processed meat foods, more freshly cooked meals and less fat.

The recommendations will be included in a two-year extension to the contract with supplier Scolarest and implemented in September, according to the council.

The group which produced the report has denied it was spurred into action by TV chef Jamie Oliver's recent campaign to improve school meals..

Councillor John Dormer, who chaired the Working Group on School Dinners, said: "The programme wasn't unhelpful. It helped to indicate that school meals are part of a bigger issue.

'Healthy options'

"In the North East we like salty and sweet things, and we've got to change. We all like chips, but we've got to be moderate at times."

Anita Atkinson, school governor and member of the group, said the investigation had highlighted many areas where action could be taken.

She said: "There's lots you can do - use wholemeal bread, cut down on sugar and salt, get rid of things like turkey twizzlers. You can even do something as simple as adding bowls of fruit.

"At the schools where the options were good, we saw children choosing pasta dishes, salads and healthy options sandwiches."