Schoolchildren tuck into pub lunches

Hungry pupils have been swapping school dinners for pub lunches

Pupils in Yorkshire have found a novel way of avoiding school dinners - by popping into their local pub.

Landlady Kath Ehsanullah serves up meals for her teenage regulars at the Royal Oak in Crofton, Wakefield.

Up to 60 diners from Crofton High School, which is just across the road, cram into the pub restaurant to tuck into burgers, chips, salads and jacket potatoes, washed down with soft drinks.

Mrs Ehsanullah, who took over the village pub in June with orders to get it back on its feet, charges the children £2 a meal.

Parents concerned

She told BBC News Online: "It all started three weeks ago. I used to see the children at lunchtime and I thought they must be freezing.

"They would go to the fish shop and hang about on the streets, so I opened the side door to the restaurant.

"The kids were really excited. We started off with 11 on the first day and sometimes get as many as 60."

The dinners are so popular she says she might need to open up the function room as well and take on more staff.

The children are so well behaved it's like going into a time warp Kath Ehsanullah, Royal Oak landlady

Mrs Ehsanullah admitted concern had been expressed by the school and some parents at first.

"But it's all legal as the children are not allowed to drink alcohol or go into the bar area," she added.

"The children are so well behaved it's like going into a time warp. They eat and talk and really enjoy their meals.

"They can even choose their meal the day before and I make sure I cook it for them."

Police happy

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: "If you want to serve food to youngsters it has to be in a room specifically set aside for the purpose and they must not pass through the bar to get there.

"We have visited these premises and it is all in order."

Crofton High School headteacher Malcolm Myers said: "When we first found out about it we were concerned that our children were going to be on the premises.

"But we took advice from the police and were told as long as the children are over 14 and not served alcohol it is perfectly legal."