The government is striving to improve the quality of school meals

Children at more than 100 schools in the city will have the option of having five free meals before February 2007.

The project is aimed at pupils who bring packed lunches or purchase their food elsewhere.

Some schools in England have seen a decline in the uptake of school meals since the Department for Education introduced new health guidelines.

Colin Ranson, assistant head of community services at Sunderland Council, said healthier options had been more successful at primary schools.

He said: "In the primary sector, business is booming and going very well, but there is a problem with the secondary market.

"Once you take away chips, chocolate and fizzy drinks, secondary pupils can go to the high street at lunchtime.

"This project is an attempt to reward those who do eat school meals, and to change the eating habits of the ones that do stay away."

The scheme, which runs until 2 February, is available at schools where meals are prepared by Sunderland City Council's School Meals Service.