TO mark National School Meals Week, pupils at a Bolton primary school tried out the nation’s favourite school meal.

According to a recent poll by the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA), curry followed by chocolate sponge is the best-loved lunch of schoolchildren across the country.

Yesterday, youngsters at Red Lane Primary School, in Breightmet, were served the meal in either beef or vegetable form, accompanied by rice and naan bread, and mixed salad.

And they were joined by Bolton News reporter Thomas George who went along to try out the dishes for himself.

READ MORE: Watch Tom try the world's hottest curry

The meal proved a hit with pupils, with Natalina Faro, aged 10, saying: “It was amazing, the chocolate sponge was really tasty.”

The school’s catering manager Tatenda Kachidza added: “It has gone down really well.

“When I heard about the council wanting to celebrate the nation’s favourite dish, I thought we might as well get involved. It is not on the menu that often and a lot of children do like it.

“This is the one major meal the children have every day. For me, my job is about ensuring they have a good meal they enjoy.”

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “National School Meals Week is a great opportunity to celebrate our catering staff and showcase the fantastic work they do all year round.

“A hot, healthy balanced meal at lunchtime helps children to concentrate and themed school dinners are a good way of making lunchtime more fun.”