TOO many East Lancashire school children are failing to take up their entitlement to free school meals, it has been revealed.

Today Blackburn with Darwen Council said parents were still failing to sign up for the lunchtime meals despite "strenuous efforts" to sell the idea.

Latest figures from Parliamentary Questions show that 23.6 per cent of Blackburn with Darwen secondary school pupils and 12.5 per cent of the borough's primary school kids miss out on free meals.

This compares to 18 per cent of Lancashire secondary school children and 15.4 per cent at primary. Nationally 27 per cent of secondary and 17.3 per cent of primary children did not take up the free school meals.

Blackburn with Darwen director of social services Peter Hunt said: "We are well below the national and North West averages for children who choose not to take up free school meals but we continue to do all we can to encourage take up, including providing cashless tills so children are equal.

"However some parents will always prefer their children to take sandwich lunches because they sit down together for a family meal in the evening, while others may prefer their children to come home at lunchtime.

"Older pupils often prefer to go out of school with friends during their lunch hour and make their own catering arrangements. The council does make strenuous efforts to make people aware of their entitlement and take up free school meals."

The council has introduced a wide range of meals, themed menus including ones based around films, such as Finding Nemo, and have also introduced salad bars in a bid to encourage take up of school meals.

Liberal Democrat education spokesman Phil Willis said: "A healthy nutritious meal at lunchtime is essential to our children's health.

"A free school meal should mean a two-course lunch and a drink according to the Secretary of State.

"However, research commissioned by his department has shown that people are having to pay extra or select a less than adequate meal.

"A free school meal should have high nutritional value and it should be an attractive offer to children.

"The whole point of free school meals is to provide the most needy children with a good nutritious meal - yet many would rather do without."