NEW Cumnock Primary school is celebrating after scooping an Eat Safe Award for their high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and food safety.

Pupils are set to benefit from tucking award winning meals which have now been recognised nationally.

The Catering Servicesteam, based within the school, were praised at a special presentation for their efforts.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Older People and Community Safety said: “Within East Ayrshire, more and more schools are earning their Eat Safe Award from Food Standards Scotland.

This is credit to the wonderful teams working in our school kitchens.

They are committed to food safety, hygiene and to providing pupils and staff with delicious nutritionally balanced meals.

“The t eam at New Cumnock Primary School thoroughly deserve this prestigious award.”

The Eat Safe Award sits in parallel with the Food Hygiene Information Scheme that rates hygiene standards against legal requirements. The Eat Safe Award recognises businesses that have achieved standards over and above the legal requirements. Twenty premises in East Ayrshire have now earned an Eat Safe Award from Food Standards Scotland.

Environmental Health Services assess premises for the award as part of scheduled hygiene inspections.

It comes after East Ayrshire Council have won the Soil Association’s Gold Food for Life Served Here award. The team are the longest-standing holder of the accolade in the UK.