A CATERING company which provides meals to nearly 300 schools in County Durham has backed the introduction of new nutritional standards.

But education catering specialist Chartwells said the Government rules must be backed by other measures.

Rules for primary schools include one option from each of the four main food groups - fruit and vegetables made available every day; chips to be served no more than three times a week; red meat to be served at least twice a week; and fish once a week.

Gerry Wood, operation director at Chartwells, said: "The new Government regulations are only minimum standards and we already exceed them. However, we can't be too prescriptive. We have to remember that children make their own decisions about what they eat.

"So it is very important that teachers and parents all work together to make healthy food choices exciting and appealing for children.