CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has certainly stirred up a storm with his mission to serve up healthier school dinners. His campaign to ditch junk food is a great one and should be applauded.

But what I'd like to know is why did school dinners change to give children choices in the first place?

We didn't have chance of a chip when I went to school. It was a strict meat and two veg diet and a delicious pudding (sago pudding and prunes excepted).

We weren't allowed off the premises without a note - but there were the odd few who sneaked out to the pie shop for a slappy.

I was lucky in the fact that good, healthy food was always a priority at home as well.

These days its all too easy not to bother cooking with the plethora of fast food outlets and ready to microwave meals. I'm sure lots of today's mums can't even serve up a home cooked delight.

The number of youngsters I see just eating chips and tomato sauce for a meal is unbelievable.

If only families realised it is as cheaper to prepare a nutritious fresh meal than it is to shell out for a takeaway - and with the help of a cook book it's a doddle.

I'm amazed that some children can't even identify fresh fruits and vegetables. Frightening.

It's great to learn that the politicians have now jumped on the bandwaggon and are backing the naked chef's worthwhile battle. Children can only benefit - as long as the parents in the dark about the benefits of good food see the light themselves.