BLUEPRINTS have been unveiled for a new kitchen extension at a Ramsbottom school to meet new government legislation.

Education officials say they need extra space at St Andrew’s CE Primary, in Nuttall Street, to meet the extra demand for free school meals from Year 1 and Year 2 students from this September. The programme is designed to help families in financial need by providing hot nutritious food, improve pupils’ diets, and boost academic achievement levels.

Up to three years ago, the kitchen was adequate, dealing with 50 meals.

But, even before the current move, the number of dinners had increased to 115-plus.