WHEN an ice cream van turned up at a York school during yesterday's heatwave, the children might have thought they were set to be handed a lolly or cornet.

But instead of handing out ice cream, the van served up taster portions of school meals to pupils and their families.

Hob Moor Schools Federation organised for the ice cream van from local business Graham's ices to take part in the event as part of a bid to improve healthy eating and lifestyles.

A spokeswoman said it wanted to encourage more families to take up school meals, especially now that all pupils in key Stage 1 were entitled to a free meal, and also to dispel the long, out-dated myths of 'lumpy custard' or 'turkey twizzlers.'