WELL-heeled diners at TV chef Gordon Ramsey's top-class London hotel will be tucking into stuffing for their Christmas dinner this year - thanks to the Daily Echo's Save Our Stuffing campaign.

The fiery-tempered chef was incensed by yesterday's exclusive revelation that Hampshire County Council has taken stuffing off schools' Christmas menus.

He described it as "very sad", saying that stuffing was an essential part of a Christmas lunch and would be taking pride of place in his restaurant in swanky Claridge's Hotel, Mayfair, on Christmas Day.

The Daily Echo has launched the Save Our Stuffing campaign after county council chiefs decided to take it off Christmas menus across the region's schools.

They claim youngsters do not like the seasoning and that vast quantities of it have to be dumped every year.

But Mr Ramsey said: "It's a great shame that they don't see stuffing as essential to the meal, which it is.

"It's not just enjoying it with the meat but the stuffing is stuffed inside the turkey to give it flavour.

"Not only that, but the stuffing acts as a moisturiser for the turkey. Without it, it will be hollow and dry.

"We shouldn't be removing what is a tradition from the Christmas meal, it's a great shame. I can still remember 35 years ago as a child getting stuffing, it's a tradition and something to look forward to."

School catering bosses in Hampshire claimed youngsters found the taste of stuffing too strong.

However, pupils in Southampton can still look forward to a Christmas menu with all the traditional trimmings.

The city council said it was trying to preserve tradition and was sticking with stuffing.

A spokeswoman said: "We have got no plans to take it off the menu. We want to encourage children to experience what a full Christmas dinner is."