A BAN on genetically modified food in school meals is being demanded by a leading East Lancashire environmental campaigner.

Friends of the Earth spokesman Brian Jackson is seeking a five-year freeze on the use of the food until full testing proves it safe.

And he says there should be an immediate ban on its use at fast food outlets, hospitals and particularly schools where diners simply do not know whether food being served was "contaminated" with animal or other "alien" genes.

"I think it is particularly outrageous that education authorities are allowing modified food to be used in schools - we should not be taking any risks with the health and lives of children.

"There should be a total ban and no excuse whatever." The Colne campaigner's call came as Greater Manchester councils announced they had halted GM food from being used in their school kitchens.

And today Burnley MP Peter Pike expressed his own concerns and called on Lancashire education authority to think long and hard on the issue.

But a spokesman for Lancashire County Council said no ban was operated on GM foods in school meals and there was no fixed policy on the issue.

In a prepared statement she said: "The county council always takes advice from health experts and the debate on GM foods is still going on.

"We recognise our responsibility to ensure children receive safe, nutritional food."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said that the authority had no fixed policy on GM foods either.

Mr Pike said he had "grave reservations" about the use of animal genes in some GM foods and called on Lancashire county to consider all the implications. "If, at the end of the day, they do decide to ban GM food from meals, I would understand fully why they did so."

He said it was vital that when people were buying food they knew exactly what was in it and clear marking of products was essential.

"People should know what they are getting and must have a clear choice," he added.

Mr Pike said the whole question of GM foods needed greater debate.

But Mr Jackson said there should be an immediate moratorium. "Assurances from the Government mean nothing when it is patently clear they just don't know whether GM foods are safe.

"We had similar assurances from ministers in the BSE scandal and they meant nothing at the end of the day."

Mr Jackson said he believed public awareness and concern was far greater over GM foods, following the Mad Cow issue.

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