Pupils in Wolverhampton are eating like pasta kings and queens – with a little help from children's favourites Wallace and Gromit.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has introduced nutritious Pasta King dishes onto the menu at local primary schools this year – with Wallace and Gromit-shaped pasta proving a particular hit with pupils.

And the characters themselves enjoyed A Grand Day Out when they popped into Bilston CE Primary School on Monday to encourage children to clear their plates.

Councillor Peter Bilson, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for City Assets, said: "Our school menus have always been healthy, nutritious and delicious, and over the years we have developed them so that they continue to appeal to the changing palette of modern children, and give them lots of different flavours and experiences.

"We are delighted to be able to offer Pasta King dishes, which include a wide choice of meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, and in particular the Wallace and Gromit pasta. It really makes mealtime fun for children – especially when Wallace and Gromit themselves join pupils in the dining room!"

Bilston CE Primary School headteacher Gary Gentle said: "Our school meals are fantastic. We have an excellent cook who is supported by a large team of kitchen assistants, and together they provide a fabulous service to our school.

"The meals not only taste delicious but are also presented very well, and the team from the council's Catering Services team are always willing to create bespoke menus for our children which are healthy and nutritious."

To check out the primary and secondary school menus provided by the council, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/catering. Thousands of children and young people in Wolverhampton are eligible for free school meals - for more information, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.

Councillor Lynne Moran, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "Our fantastic school meals save parents the time, cost and effort of shopping for and creating healthy packed lunches every day; they can also relax knowing their children are well-fed and can relax and socialise with friends in a safe environment."

Pasta King is the leading provider of nutritious pasta meals to schools in the UK, with 20 years of experience. It makes a donation for every meal eaten to Wallace and Gromit's Children`s Charity, which raises funds to improve the quality of life of sick children in hospices and hospitals throughout the country.