AUCHINLECK Academy are celebrating after being awarded with an Eat Safe Award for their high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and food safety.

The secondary school were thrilled to accept the prestigious award for their kitchen standards.

The Catering Services team, based within the school, received their Eat Safe Award at a special presentation.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Member for Older People and Community Safety, joined staff and pupils from Auchinleck Academy, along with the Catering Services team and Nicky Firth from Environment al Health, to discuss their success.

He said: “Within East Ayrshire, more and more schools are earning their Eat Safe Award from FoodStandards 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 team at Auchinleck Academy 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-one 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.