Schools minister David Laws paid a visit to Cheam Fields Primary School to open their new kitchen.

He made the trip ahead of the introduction of a new policy this September, which will see all infant school children be entitled to free meals.

Since January this year Sutton Council has upgraded 12 primary school kitchens in preparation for the shake-up.

Abbey Primary and Culvers House Primary in Sutton, and Dorchester Primary in Worcester Park, have all seen their kitchens adapted as part of the move.

Hackbridge Primary in Wallington received £70,000 of improvements, including ventilation, a new layout, and asbestos removal.

The council have pumped £324,782 into upgrading the facilities across the 12 schools.

Mr Laws said: "School lunches for all infant children will save parents money, make sure more children eat a healthy and nutritious meal at least once a day, and improve their ability to learn."

The kitchen will open at the school in Stoughton Avenue, Cheam, at the start of the next school year.

The MP for Yeovil visited Cheam Fields Primary on Tuesday, July 1.

Cllr Wendy Mathys, chair of Sutton Council’s Children, Family and Education Committee, said: "The new pod is absolutely brilliant news for everyone at Cheam Fields, and shows what can be achieved with imagination and hard work.

"Cheam Fields is one of 12 primary schools that now have new facilities ready to serve free nutritious meals to their pupils when the new term starts in September thanks to the funding they have received.

"We have worked very closely with all our primary schools on this important policy because child development in early years is absolutely vital to their future."