THE cost of a school meal has raced ahead of inflation in the last few years as the service has increasingly been taken over by private companies, a new survey has revealed.

But Bolton's school dinners are only put up in price in line with inflation, according to Cllr Donald Grime, executive member for direct services.

"The price is set by education, it goes to committee, and we strive to put the price up in line with inflation," he said.

The survey by Unison, part of National School Meals Week, revealed that the set school dinner is rapidly becoming a thing of the past with only 13 per cent of local education authorities providing them in middle and secondary schools and 63 per cent having cafeterias instead, here in Bolton school dinners remain firmly on the menu.

Elaine Long is assistant head of division of commercial services. She explains: "School meals are changing drastically. They are almost unrecognisable from 20 years ago, and Bolton is racing ahead in innovative systems.

"Secondary schools currently have a choice cafeteria style, and we are soon to introduce a cashless system where pupils will use a swipe card.

"This will remove the stigma of free school meals and also go some way to prevent bullying -- children will no longer be able to take lunch money off others. It is a very secure and sophisticated system and one we believe is very much the way forward in the school meals system.

"These days we have adopted a more European way of eating. We tend to graze throughout the day and this is why pupils in secondary schools will soon be able to have breakfast, morning break, lunch and more in school."

She adds: "In primary schools there is more of a blend of traditional and contemporary services -- the children do have a choice but not a wide one."