CONCERNED staff at a Taunton primary school took action when they thought some of their pupils would be going without a hot lunch during lockdown.

Vicky Phillips and Clare Elliot and other staff members at Minerva Primary School were worried that children in their care were going without a meal to warm themselves up during the day.

The usual lunch provision at the school is currently closed due to the restrictions, so the staff decided to step in.

The lunchtime meal provided by the school is likely to be the youngsters' main meal of the day and something the children look forward to.

They've been tucking into some appetising meals, such as fishfingers and chips yesterday (Friday).

The staff negotiated a budget with the school and prepared a menu based on 30 children eating a main course and a pudding.

Since the initiative started, numbers have increased and on some days the school is feeding more than 40 children.

The children are clearing their plates - and enjoying seconds when supplies allow.

The school approached Taunton YMCA, who have donated food that has been used to prepare the meals.

The children have also been allowed to help prepare the meals and have been helping with the cooking.

Asda in Taunton has also donated food and the children could not disguise their delight when Mademoiselle Cakes - previously Ministry of Cake - turned up with a supply of delicious cakes and puddings, with the promise of more to come.

A spokesperson for The Redstart Learning Partnership, of which Minerva is a member, said: "We want to extend our thanks to the Taunton YMCA, Mademoiselle Cakes and Asda Taunton for all their kind support.

"We would also like to make a very special thank you to Vicky and Claire and the staff at Minerva for going above and beyond and for looking after our children by providing them with a decent hot lunchtime meal.

"It’s an absolutely fantastic effort by all involved and we applaud you."

To show their gratitude to the companies involved, the children are making thank you cards to send to them next week.

Vicky Phillips, from Minerva, said “I wanted to make sure that although our kitchen was closed, these children still had the chance to eat a hot meal each day.

"In this most difficult of time, I didn’t want to be moaning and not helping. So I used what I could, asked for provision and made sure we loved these kids in the best way we can.”