Parents have been informed their children will be going without hot lunches for six weeks when term starts at a Long Ditton school.

Due to the extra work pressures contractors have been put under to develop schools' kitchens, in line with the Government's initiative to provide key stage 1 children with a hot lunch, Long Ditton St Mary's Church of England Junior School, Long Ditton, will be unable to provide hot meals at lunch until October 20, having been put to the back of the queue.

Headteacher David Gumbrell was unable to comment when contacted but said in a letter home to parents: "Although we have tried to make good a very difficult situation, we are running behind schedule.

"The company completing the works are overrun with other kitchen refurbishments, with many other schools trying to best meet the Government's agenda."

Surrey County Council will provide a sandwich service from County Hall in the meantime, the only exception being children who qualify for free school meals.