SCHOOL dinners are taking on a bright new look for pupils at Radcliffe High School. The youngsters themselves came up with the concept of Cafe Eleven, a colourful and stylish cafe/bar area for Year 11 students.

Councillor Cath Platt, chairman of best value and competitiveness, hoped that it would encourage older pupils to stay in school at lunchtime and eat there. "We've taken the old sandwich room and completely transformed it," she said.

"A fast-track snack area has been added to the main dining room along with improved seating and tables and a bright new colour scheme.

"The pupils themselves helped to make the changes, along with the teaching staff. It has completely transformed the area." And the changes at Radcliffe High are being mirrored elsewhere. A dining room extension at Elton High in Bury has been refurbished, while bright new colours have been painted in the dining room at Philips High School in Whitefield.

Mr Mike Rogers, school meals catering operations manager, forecast similar improvements in other schools.

"We have invested heavily in kitchens, and now we think the time has come to provide brighter and more attractive cafe-style surroundings which many young people are used to enjoying in the town," he said.

"Making the dining areas more attractive can only improve the incentive to dine in school."

As reported in the Radcliffe Times, education bosses hope to boost funds and the take-up of school meals by introducing a profit-share agreement with schools.

Some 20 per cent of profits will be set aside in a special fund from which schools can bid for cash for kitchen improvements.