TWO hundred children enjoyed their Christmas lunches as they celebrated winning a silver award for healthy eating and food hygiene at St Thomas More School on Friday. The primary school was presented with the Uttlesford Heartbeat Award by Uttlesford Distr

TWO hundred children enjoyed their Christmas lunches as they celebrated winning a silver award for healthy eating and food hygiene at St Thomas More School on Friday.

The primary school was presented with the Uttlesford Heartbeat Award by Uttlesford District Council (UDC) in a ceremony at the Nucleus Restaurant at Chesterford Research Park.

Headteacher Mary Jo Hall said: "We're absolutely delighted to win this very prestigious award.

"It has been seven years hard work getting to this stage, increasing the take up of healthy meals from 70 to 150 meals. Our menus are put together in discussion with parents."

The award is given to caterers for achieving high standards of hygiene both in the kitchens and for their staff and their healthy choices on the menu.

Lisa Lipscombe, health promotions officer for UDC, said: "Uttlesford is officially rated as one of the healthiest places to live in the UK and this award scheme helps to underline just that."

Other winners of the award included the

Nucleus Restaurant at Chesterford Research Park, the Radisson SAS Hotel at Stansted Airport, Saffron Walden County High School and Noah's Café at the Adult Resource Centre in Saffron Walden.