POVERTY campaigners are urging the Government to urgently reinstate a free school meals scheme.

POVERTY campaigners are urging the Government to urgently reinstate a free school meals scheme.

Thousands more youngsters across Glasgow enjoyed free lunches from last October to June as part of a £5million drive to boost Scotland's diet.

The pilot saw an additional 7000 pupils take up the offer of a free meal.

Youngsters from P1 to P3 were encouraged to choose a three-course meal including soup and bread, a main meal, fruit and yoghurt and a choice of drinks from milk, water or fruit juice.

A total of 10 primaries had a 100% response from pupils and more than 35,000 children across Scotland benefited from the project.

The pilot scheme ran in five council areas including Glasgow, East Ayrshire and West Dunbartonshire.

It was due to end in March this year but was then extended until June by Government chiefs, but it has now ended.

The Government said it would use the findings of the trial to assess if it is having a positive impact on children's health both in school and at home.

But campaigners are calling on politicians to roll out the initiative as soon as possible.

John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: "The Scottish Government's excellent free school meals pilot for primary one to three pupils has already led to many more children getting a healthy meal in the middle of the day.

"We urge ministers and councillors to find the money to continue the pilots and roll out free school meals as soon as possible.

"Families are already bearing the brunt of rocketing food and fuel prices and free school meals are proving a vital benefit."