Schools will ditch junk food

Chocolate, crisps, table salt and fizzy drinks will be banned in Walsall schools as part of a £1.1 million project to tackle obesity across the borough over the next few years.

The ambitious scheme will also include menus that ensure children eat a minimum of two pieces of fruit and vegetables a day and there will be a complete ban on full fat milk.

The investment is part of objectives to meet guidelines set out by the School Food Trust. Walsall Council is hoping to plough £300,000 into the project next year and two more lots of £420,000 to cover the period up to 2010.

The cash will also be used to offset a potential increase in the price of school meals.

The proposals mean oily fish will be served once every three weeks, bread will be served as an addition rather than as a staple and pupils will have access to free fresh water at all times.

Deep fried foods will still be served twice a week, as will some manufactured meats, but not economy burgers or offal.

The proposals will be considered by Walsall Council's scrutiny and performance panel.

Vice chairman Councillor Rose Burley said: "This is very much in line with legislation to promote healthy eating."