PLANS to dish up free school meals to thousands of Southampton children look set to be snubbed.

City chiefs had been asked to take part in a scheme that would see around 15,600 under 11s get a free school meal.

But it has been revealed the Westminster plans will be knocked back by education chiefs, because it would cost too much.

The local authority would have to pay half of the estimated £4m annual cost which would put an extra £1.66 a month on the average council tax bill.

As a result city bosses have said they were unlikely to bid for the two-year scheme – part of a Government drive to improve youngsters’ diets.

It comes after the Daily Echo revealed nearly one in five ten and 11-year-olds in the city are classed as obese.

Education chief Peter Baille said: “If we were to take part in this pilot scheme it could cost taxpayers anything from £3m to £4m over two years.

“Money would also need to be spent on increased staffing and school infrastructure.

“In the middle of a recession I think people will understand that it would be very difficult for us to commit to it at this time.”

He added that the money could be better spent ensuring children received a nutritious meal at home and that significant focus would be put on healthy eating in the coming months.

However, the snub has prompted criticism from the city’s MPs.

In a joint statement Labour MPs John Denham and Alan Whitehead said they would encourage the council to take part in the scheme.

Alan Whitehead said “This offer from the Government removes the stigma attached to school meals and is excellent value for money for local authorities who care about ensuring that all their children get at least one nutritious meal a day.”

Head teacher at Beechwood school Sue Bailey said although free meals for all would be welcome, the cost was a major issue.

“If we could wave a magic wand and have free school meals for all children then I think that would be tremendous, but the reality is that it comes at a cost. Personally, though, I think it would have a real impact on children’s performance and behaviour.”

The average school meal costs about £1.70 in the city and currently 8,000 are served every day.

Of those, 3,300 are free for children from families on benefits.

Latest figures show about 82 per cent of children who are eligible actually take up free school meals in Southampton, more than most other local authorities.