A £1 MILLION contract to dish up lunches to thousands of Wyre Forest's students has been awarded to a local schools caterer.

Alliance in Partnership (AiP) will provide catering services to the Severn Academies Educational Trust (SAET) family of schools, which includes two secondaries and five primaries, from September.

The deal is an extension of the 20-year plus relationship the company has enjoyed with Kidderminster’s Baxter College.

Stourport Primary Academy and Wolverley Sebright Primary had previously been served by AiP group company Class Catering,while Stourport High School, St Bartholomew’s CE Primary, in Areley Kings, Hartlebury CE Primary and Wilden All Saints CE Primary join for the first time.

Sally Tyson, key client director at AiP, said: “Good food is at the heart of our business. We specialise in providing high quality, freshly cooked and nutritious meals for both primary and secondary schools.

“This contract is a terrific opportunity for us to be able to offer delicious home-made dishes, made with a range of ingredients sourced from across Worcestershire and we are looking forward to getting started.”

The trust said it will save money by bringing all its schools under one catering contract.

SAET chief executive Chris King said: “Cost savings will enable us to invest more in the education of our children, and AiP was selected through the competitive tendering process because its food is healthy, ethical and locally sourced.

“Through its primary Food Smart brand, AiP also encourages children to try new tastes and have fun with food, with themed events, food sampling and even hands on cooking.

“The Feed Me brand for secondary schools, reflects trends in food to go, café culture and street food for our high street savvy young people, as well as the choice of more formal sit-down lunches."