Children at every school in Essex should grow their own food to eat at lunchtimes, according to a top science professor.

Prof Jules Pretty, who is tasked with proposing new county council policies in his role as chairman of the Essex Rural Commission, said the move would tackle child obesity by fostering a love of healthy fruit and veg.

He said it would also help the environment by reducing reliance on canteen supplies delivered by long-distance lorry or from abroad.

The Nayland food expert revealed he is working to bring in a similar scheme at his workplace, Essex University.

Mr Pretty, who is credited with inventing the concept of food miles, said school allotments would help youngsters in rural areas to appreciate the farming traditions of their communities.

He added they could be introduced across the board, in urban as well as rural areas.

Angela Konarzewski, head of St John’s Primary in Colchester, said she was in favour of the proposal.

“I think it would teach children the value of being self-sufficient and also about science - what things need to make them grow,” she said.

“The problems I would forsee is that you would need very large quantities to feed them at lunchtimes – it would need to be supplemented – and during the holidays you would have to organise a rota or something to make sure the vegetables were tended to.”