A DINING room at a Hartlepool school has been transformed into a restaurant.

The Dyke House City Diner, at Dyke House School, offers a wide range of meals and snacks in bright and airy surroundings.

The biggest innovation, however, is the introduction of swipe cards which pupils use to pay for meals.

Catering manager Doreen Wilkinson said: "Money can be credited to the swipe cards at special machines outside the diner, and this helps to remove the stigma of free school meals because no one now hands over money as they are served with their meals. The cards of pupils entitled to free meals are automatically credited with £1.45."

The diner, which opened last month, was designed and constructed in-house by Hartlepool Borough Council's direct services organisation (DSO).

About £90,000 of DSO surpluses, generated during the 2000-20001 financial year, have been used for the project along with £30,000 from the school.

The diner's increased popularity is highlighted by statistics showing that more pupils are staying in school for their dinners, sending income to £304 a day, compared to £156 a day in September last year.

Bill Jordan, headteacher at the school, said: "Staff and pupils have worked together very successfully in recent times to raise standards at this school and the diner is another big boost. It really is the icing on the cake."