Bridgewater Primary School's home-made meals are very popular

Of six primary schools being built in the town, only one will have somewhere to prepare school meals.

The Conservative-run Northamptonshire County Council said the government had not given the authority enough money to build kitchens or pay cooks.

It says it would try to bring in hot meals cooked at another school.

As a local authority we just cannot do this - we just do not have the financial means Councillor Joan Kirkbride

At Bridgewater Primary School, hot school lunches are cooked on the premises but there is no kitchen in plans for a replacement school due to be built next year.

Parent Juliet Seward said: "If they don't have a hot meal at lunchtime they go from 7.30 in the morning until 6.30 at night with no substantial food - just a sandwich at lunchtime in a packed lunch - and to me that's inadequate."

Councillor Joan Kirkbride, cabinet member for children's services, said the county council could not find the money itself to pay for kitchens at the new schools.

"It isn't just the capital costs - it's the running costs. If the government is prepared to put extra money into schools so they can employ a cook and kitchen staff, I am sure we would be very grateful.

'Totally frustrating'

"As a local authority we just cannot do this - we just do not have the financial means," she said.

Head teacher Geoff Adams said it was totally frustrating.

"Everyone knows how important this is and the government is pushing it now but those that control the purse string just won't come up with the funding at the present time," he said.

The government has promised an extra �280m for school meals.