HEAD chef of the award- winning Drunken Duck Inn in Ambleside joined school caterers, local businesses and producers from across Cumbria in a bid to improve school lunches for the region's children.

More than 80 school caterers from Cumbria County Council's Premises Unit gathered together for a special 'school menu development training day', at The Auctioneer in Carlisle, marking the introduction of two new dishes for the school menu developed by Nick Foster.

The new dishes, Cumbrian Steak pie and Cumbrian Lamb and Mint Burgers made with Quality Standard Lakeland Beef and Lamb, will be on the lunch menu at over 185 primary and secondary schools throughout the county after the Christmas break.

The training day was held in conjunction with Pioneer Foodservice - meat supplier to many of Cumbria's schools, Cumbria County Council School Premises and the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX).