The pilot project will run for six months in five council areas.

The SNP-led administration had earlier pledged to set up a trail project for youngsters in primaries one to three.

Children's minister Adam Ingram has now announced which areas will be taking part in the six month long pilot, which runs from October to March.

About 35,000 children in five areas - Borders, East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire - will benefit.

The pilot scheme will also provide evidence on pupils' views about school dinners, as well as answer questions on practical issues, such as the capacity of school dining halls and kitchens.

Announcing the move Mr Ingram said: "We want all of Scotland to be healthier and developing the best eating habits from an early age is central to moving that forward."

He added: "This is about more than school meals. It's part of our wider aim to improve the nation's health and increase the quality of life for families and communities.

"The pilots will show us the impact universal free school meals have on children's health as we shape our policy on improving nutrition, as well as how schools cope with implementing them."