Scottish schools are leading the way in the UK, as the education system attempts to provide healthier eating options to its pupils.

Inspectors who assessed the roll-out of the Hungry for Success programme in 39 schools across Scotland said it was having a "positive impact".

Children north of the border are enjoying healthier choices and larger portions.

But, more work needs to be done to ensure the consistent availability of good quality meals across the school network, they added.

The Hungry for Success scheme was launched in late 2002. Primary schools were given until the end of last year to meet the standards and secondary schools have been set a deadline of December 2006.

Senior chief inspector Graham Donaldson said: "In most schools that our inspectors visited, young people are getting more healthy options and are becoming increasingly confident in choosing those options.

Education minister Peter Peacock said: "The quality of food on offer has improved and there are more healthy choices than ever.

"Schools and councils are working hard to involve parents and children in the process to develop new healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

"But we aren't going to rest on our laurels - this momentum must be maintained to ensure that more and more Scottish young people enjoy the benefits that a healthy lifestyle brings."

Meanwhile, Jamie Oliver has stepped up his efforts to force the British government to up the financial stakes for its children. The one-man pressure group said that, while progress has been made, the government needs to pour "hundreds of millions of pounds" into its school meal project for any serious impact to be felt by the nation's kids.