SCHOOL cooks will be preparing gastronomic delights on the princely budget of 80p tomorrow.

Chefs from schools across the North-East and Scotland are hoping to impress judges at the regional finals of the Local Authority Caterers' Association (LACA) School Chef of the Year contest.

The event, at Hebburn Comprehensive School, South Tyneside, will see four people bidding to become the North's top school chef.

The winner will go on to take part in the national final of the Nestle-sponsored event, next April, against seven other regional finalists.

Each dish must conform to the Government's minimum nutritional standards for school meals and fall within the 80p budget.

Four-times winner Lynne Pearson, of Wolsingham Primary School, County Durham, hopes to serve up another winning meal, including a mini lamb burger followed by caramel apple and cinnamon sponge.

Other competitors are Andrew Cummings, of Hetton Secondary School, Sunderland; Christine Hancock, of Haydon Bridge Shaftoe School, Northumberland; and Lynne Howe, of Tannadice Primary School, Tayside.

The judging panel includes former Royal Yacht Britannia chef Steve Love, as well as and a schoolgirl and boy.

LACA chairman Neil Porter said: "Many school chefs have excellent cooking skills and are just waiting for the chance to demonstrate their culinary expertise. This competition is all about bringing out that talent."