BOLTON is gearing itself up for National School Meals Week - with pasta, a cuddly dinosaur and Olympic standard athletes.

The week, which starts on Monday, is being launched in London today, and is aimed at encouraging more children to eat school lunches.

Schools throughout the North West are taking part in the initiative, which is also hoping to raise cash for the British Olympic team travelling out to Atlanta next year. Bolton aims to raise £1,000 by April.

Next week primary school pupils will be encouraged, for a nominal fee, to wear sports gear rather than uniform.

Cooks in secondary schools will be serving a home-made pasta dish and judges will pick the best on Friday next week.

On Monday, stickers featuring Dino the Dinosaur - the mascot of school meals week - will be handed out to all primary school children. On Tuesday the cuddly dinosaur will go on tour. Accompanying him will be the UK long distance long jump champion, Ian Simpson, who is hoping to travel to Atlanta next year.

At each of the schools visited there will be a 10 minute Olympic work-out for some of the children.

Throughout the week there will be a series of competitions for all children.

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