A CATERER is promising major improvements after winning a £30m contract to feed County Durham school pupils for the next five years.

Durham County Council has rehired Chartwells, of Newton Aycliffe, to serve its 279 primary and secondary schools.

Improvements totalling £800,000 will be funded by the council and the company.

Seventy-eight primary schools, which get hot meals delivered from outside kitchens, will get facilities to heat chilled dinners.

Dining areas at 25 of the county's 36 secondary schools will see the introduction of The Hub, a concept pioneered at The Hermitage School, Chester-le-Street.

A company spokesman said: "This brings High Street catering into schools, including such concepts as Burger Dome, Planet Pizza and Full Metal Jacket, the latter offering jacket potatoes with a choice of exotic fillings. Kiosks will have staff in distinctive uniforms, special signage, packaging and branding. The result at the Hermitage is that students find it cool to stop in school for lunch."

David Blackburn, the council's head of business management, said: "This partnership will be of major benefit to all of our pupils and students over the next few years.

"We are bringing school meals into the new century, offering healthy and attractive food in surroundings they will also enjoy.

Chartwells director Gerry Woods said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this significant new contract. I believe we won this business on the strength of our successful track record in County Durham by listening to our customers and working with them to develop innovative solutions."