PUPILS have been tucking into locally-reared turkey and fresh vegetables after Christmas school dinners were given a healthy makeover.

North Yorkshire County Council caterers have worked for two years to improve school meals in line with TV chef Jamie Oliver's campaign.

This year, the council saw a two per cent increase in the uptake of school meals at a time when many other authorities reported a downturn.

Councillor John Watson, the authority's executive member with responsibility for school meals, said: "Kitchen staff and catering managers have worked tirelessly over the past two years to ensure that schoolchildren in North Yorkshire get a tasty and nutritionally-balanced meal that represents excellent value for money.

"This year's best ever Christmas dinner in schools across the county is evidence of just how far school meals have come and the smiles on the pupils' faces is a tribute to their popularity."

The caterers are to launch a campaign in the new year, to teach nutrition and the preparation of healthy food.