MORE jobs will be the icing on the cake if a Teesside food firm secures a contract to supply school meals to Grimsby.

Middlesbrough's Brambles Foods are the "favoured'' contractor for the job.

A company spokeswoman said: "We are just in the centre of discussions at the moment. There is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing.''

But she revealed there would be a "significant'' number of jobs created if the contract goes ahead.

Brambles Foods is the favoured contractor to supply meals to schools under the control of North East Lincolnshire Council.

But the move could yet be challenged in the High Court, because good news for Brambles could mean the loss of up to 400 kitchen staff jobs in and around Grimsby.

The firm estimates it would take a maximum of two hours to transport the food in chilled vans from its Teesside plant to Grimsby.

Sales director Bob Goldyre said: "We are investigating the logistics. We have to deliver all the sandwiches between 7am and 11am."

Soup and pasta would also be on the menu as part of the contract.

Last year, the company, a member of the British Sandwich Association, won the Sandwich Manufacturer of the Year award.

The company makes about 130,000 sandwiches a week and supplies 20 per cent of NHS sandwiches, as well as universities.

The schools' contract is being treated as a pilot scheme.

Mr Goldwyre sympathises with the kitchen staff who are about to lose their jobs.

He said: "It is a sensitive area. All we are trying to do is provide a nutritional service, and we hope to take it forward to everyone's benefit.

"We are offering them not just a sandwich, but hot soup, pasta, salad and fruit, as well as bakery products and confectionery."

There was no one available to speak for the council, although it is understood the kitchen staff are employed by a private contractor.