CATERING students at a local school are at the 'cutting edge' thanks to a generous donation from the new owners of Morecambe's Midland Hotel.

Pupils at Morecambe High School have taken delivery of the Midland's entire cutlery collection.

Since January, Kalber Leisure has been busy clearing out unwanted kitchenware, furniture, and bedding left by the previous owners.

They plan to furnish the hotel with only authentic art deco items so everything else has had to go.

Tudor Williams, General Manager of the Midland Grand Hotel, recently visited the school to see how some of the pupils of the Year 11 GNVQ Hospitality and Catering course were benefiting from the donation.

Linda Hartley, acting Head of Technology, said: "The school is very grateful to the Midland Hotel for the generous donation of cutlery and kitchenware which will be of great use to the GNVQ students.

Being able to use the right equipment in their studies perhaps helps in determining their future career path.

I hope some pupils may eventually work in the Midland."

Other local charity organisations that have also benefited from donations include Furniture Matters and International Aid Trust who have received sheets and blankets to send abroad or to assist certain areas of the local community.

Tudor Williams, General Manager of the Midland Grand Hotel, said: "Where possible Kalber Leisure has retained the original art deco furniture and identified pieces which may need repair to be used in the hotel.

However, many of the fixtures and fittings that were left by the previous owners are not art deco or are unusable for a five star standard hotel.

Instead of throwing everything out we were pleased to donate as much as possible to the local community who I'm sure will benefit from it."

The local community can keep track of the hotel's progress by visiting the newly opened Midland Grand Hotel Visitor Centre or logging on to www.midlandgrandhotel.info/.