PUPILS at Hayocks Primary School will be able to tuck into some tasty treats over the Christmas holidays courtesy of North Ayrshire Council’s award-winning school cooks.

The school will be open for five days over the festive period – giving pupils who already enjoy the delicious dinners and those who haven’t sampled the menu a real festive feast.

The meals are just £1.90 each with a discounted rate of £10 for all five lunches and one morning brunch.

Pupils who are entitled to free school meals will also enjoy the lunches – which include popular dishes like fish and chips, chicken curry and steak pie – absolutely free of charge.

Pupils from St. John’s Primary in Stevenston and St. Palladius’ Primary in Dalry are invited to Hayocks and Dalry primaries for their meals.

Councillor John Bruce was delighted to put the menu to the taste test as part of his responsibility for school catering.

He said: “Although we have always enjoyed a high standard of school meals, it is clear to see why we are considered one of the best in the UK.

"Our talented chefs produce simple, hearty meals, most of which are prepared using excellent local produce.

“I would certainly not hesitate to ask for seconds if I thought the pupils wouldn’t think I am being greedy.

"Seriously though, we should all be delighted to see that school meals can be nutritious, healthy dishes while still being absolutely delicious.

“I am sure that there are some pupils who don’t realise the delicious meals they are missing, so they should really take this chance - particularly as they won’t have to worry about going back to lessons afterwards!” The initiative is just part of a campaign to highlight the the high quality, award winning school meal service and follows a special Roast Dinner Day.

All 56 primary schools in North Ayrshire took part as pupils tucked into delicious home-grown food and enjoy high quality school meals using locally sourced products In the last three years North Ayrshire school cooks have been recognised as some of the best in the UK – winning the contest in 2011.

North Ayrshire’s school cuisine also found its way to the Scottish Parliament, where MSPs were happy to give the thumbs up to the Gold Catering Mark winning menu.

Every day in North Ayrshire, pupils are served menus which are 80% freshly prepared and based on seasonal, local and organic ingredients including fresh bread, seasonal fruit and vegetables, organic bananas, Scottish organic milk and UK farm assured meat which is traceable back to the farm.

School dining opens each day from 12 noon until 1pm.

Friday 3 January Homemade Soup and Bread / Fish, Chips and Peas / Jelly & Fruit There will be a special Hogmanay Brunch service on Tuesday, December 31.  Cooked breakfast - sliced sausage, bacon, eggs, beans, potato scone, cereal, rolls, toast, fruit juice and milk. Milk or fruit juice is available on all days. Vegetarian options available on request Each lunch costs just £1.90, or £10 for each of the five lunches and morning brunch (saving £1.40).

Children who are eligible for free school lunch are entitled to all meals free of charge over the holidays.