The price of chips has increased at Ysgol Penweddig

Cooks at Ysgol Penweddig, in Aberystwyth, were asked by pupils themselves to increase the cost of the fried food to encourage choices of salad and baguettes.

The move follows a report by the school council which found that so-called fatty meals cost less than a bowl of pasta and a salad.

In the past, pasta and salads were more expensive than sausage and chips Ysgol Penweddig's head boy, Dafydd Dylan

The health drive is also seeing the gradual phasing out of chocolate bars, crisps and fizzy drinks, which are being replaced by fruit juices, milk and water.

The price of a portion of chips has been increased by 5p to 65p, but the school council is to discuss increasing this even more.

The price of salads have been kept at 50p for the last two years.

Head boy, Dafydd Dylan, 17, said: "Some pupils are complaining a bit at the moment, but I think they will get use to the new menu.

"Most at the school wanted the change and complained about chocolate and fizzy drinks so we've decided to get rid of them.

"In the past, pasta and salads were more expensive than sausage and chips.

"However, now there's a wider choice of healthy options and chips will only be available three times a week from next term.

"Parents are happy too and I feel healthier.

Cheaper

Healthy eating is in the school curriculum at Penweddig

"Before the new menu I'd have something like sausage, beans and chips for lunch. Yesterday I had pasta, a bread roll and salad."

Dafydd said teachers had also noticed a change in pupils in the first lesson after lunch, since the changes were brought in a fortnight ago.

"Before the new menu they were full of junk food and were harder to control," he said.

Head girl Llio James, 17, said: "It was too convenient and cheaper in the past for children to have chocolate bars or chips for lunch.

"That has changed now and the price of healthy food has lowered while prices for fatty foods have increased.

"Pupils just decided it was time to move on."

Healthy breakfasts of cereal, cereal bars and toast are also on the new school menu at Penweddig, the only private finance initiative (PFI) school in Ceredigion.

THE EFFECTS OF OBESITY Heart disease High blood pressure Arthritis Diabetes Some cancers (e.g. breast, prostate) Snoring

The school also plans to run a health and lifestyle campaign in the autumn.

Head teacher Arwel George said: "Not only will we be offering healthier food in the school, but we'll be looking wider - at where the food comes from, nutrition, economics and building a focus on healthy living into every section of the curriculum."

He said there had been a "tremendous amount of interest" from the children, parents, governors, staff and PFI partners Atkins.

Chris McCrave, of school caterers Atkins, added: "We're starting in a small way, offering fruit, yogurt, cereals and other healthy alternatives for breakfast and mid morning break to replace the fried food we were offering before."

A study by the National Audit Office has estimated that obesity costs the NHS at least �500m a year - and the wider economy more than �2bn a year in lost productivity.