Make sure your child is signed up for a free school meal this year - that's the message from Fife Council's Education Service.

With young people returning to school this week, parents are urged to make sure that if their children are entitled to a free school meal that they are registered.

If you are on income support, receiving Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based), Child Tax Credit Credit (but not working tax credit) - income below £14,495 or support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999, then your child may be eligible.

In addition, details will be sent out shortly to parents of all Primary 1-3 children in Fife who will, for a six-month trial period, be eligible for a free-school meal. Parents do not have to formally register for this but they do need to indicate to their school on which days their child will take a free school meal. If their child qualifies for free meals on a permanent basis, they will continue to have a free meal at the end of the pilot.

James McKinstry, Education Services said: "Fife Council is committed to promoting health and well being. Eating well is so very important for every child. We hope many more children in Fife will enjoy school meals this session."

If parents want more information they can call our dedicated Free school meals and clothing grants phone line on 08451 55 00 66.

Councillor Douglas Chapman, Chair of the Education and Children's Services Committee said, "We are committed to ensuring that each and every child in Fife has access to first-class education services. It is important that we look not only at the curriculum, leadership in our schools and attainment but at other factors such as nutrition that can help the healthy development of young people. The Scottish government's pilot scheme for free school meals for every P1 to P3 pupil in Fife does not start until after the October holidays. It's therefore important that all children who might qualify for free school meals out with the pilot scheme register for their entitlement now."

Fife Council has invested in modernising school catering facilities - everything from minor enhancements to how food is displayed to full refurbishments for catering facilities in many secondary schools.