PARENTS are being asked whether Bury Council has the right ingredients for a good school meals service.

Some 16,000 forms will be sent out by primary schools across the borough for pupils and their parents to fill in.

The survey is being carried out in advance of a Best Value review of the council's catering services and school lunches in particular.

Mr Graham Atkinson, borough leisure and catering services officer, said forms would be sent home with all pupils.

"We hope parents will take a little time to complete the short survey, even if it is only to tell us why their children don't take school meals," he said.

"This survey is one of our biggest fact-finding exercises for some time. We believe it will provide us with the information we need to improve the service we give to primary schools."

Parents are urged to return the forms by January 31 in the Freepost envelope provided. A report on the findings will be prepared by March.