A cashless school meals system on trial at schools is proving a huge success.

Four secondary schools in Gateshead have been trying out a new smart card service, resulting in a sizeable increase in pupils using Gateshead Borough Council's school meals service.

Individual cards were provided to pupils at Joseph Swan, St Edmund Campion RC, Ryton Comprehensive and Lord Lawson of Beamish schools, to be used to purchase school meals.

Parents pay in to their child's account on a regular basis, using cheques or cash, reducing the risk of them losing the cash, or it being used elsewhere.

Pupils getting free school meals also use the same smart cards, with an amount automatically being put on the card on a daily basis.

It is now hoped to introduce the system into other schools across Gateshead.