PRIMARY school children are being urged not to gamble with their health - and instead take part in a lunchtime lotto.

Staff at Wensley Fold CE Primary School, Blackburn, have devised the innovative and popular scheme in which children who have eaten healthily are entered into a prize draw.

Its 200 plus pupils are encouraged to ditch fizzy drinks, fatty foods and chocolate in a bid to win a coveted weekly prize.

The Manor Road school's dinner ladies turn detective at lunchtimes and scrutinise the children's packed lunches.

Only lunch boxes comprising the best mixture of healthy foods such as brown bread, healthy sandwich fillings, fruit and vegetables are likely make Thursday's draw.

Two lucky winners - selected from the infant and junior school pupils - are able to pick from a selection of goodies such as pens and books or exchange their ticket for a special school-based treat such as playing basket ball or music with nominated friends during break.

Pupils who eat school dinners and finish their meals -- including a daily helping of salad - are also entered into the draw which headteacher Gaynor Stubbs said was having an incredible impact on their views on food.

She added: "We have got to the stage where our pupils will say to the dinner ladies Look what I've got for lunch!' so they can get a ticket.

"The Lunchtime Lotto' has proved a really great way to encourage parents to provide a healthy lunch without dictating to them."