A Colchester primary school has turned to Suffolk to secure hot meals for children, but will not be dishing up the first dinners until late April.

Hot meals have been off the menu at Kendall Primary School, in Recreation Road, Old Heath, since December, 2003, when Essex County Council decided not to renew its catering contract and passed responsibility for providing meals on to schools.

But the school has now signed up for hot meals provided by the catering arm of Suffolk County Council, and the kitchens will re-open at the start of the summer term.

"We have got to employ staff and get the electrics and gas in the kitchen checked out - it all takes time," said office manager Joan Orme.

"We hope to serve between 60 and 80 meals a day," she said.

Published Tuesday, January 18, 2005

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