A biometric cashless payment system and state-of-the-art kitchen equipment have been installed at Bowland High School in partnership with Lancashire County's Commercial Services Catering Division.

Bowland's dining area has also been redecorated and wired for sound – there are plans to install a video link.

Most pupils at Bowland buy a school meal and sales are among the highest in Lancashire from kitchens managed by LCCS.

The improved facilities support the school's healthy eating policy and meet new national school food standards, providing pupils with improved menus, more choice and fresh, local produce.

The new money-less payment system, already used in several Lancashire schools, uses biometric technology to create a digital signature from a partial fingerprint. The unique image which is created replaces cash at the point of sale.

The school explained the system is secure and meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act. It added the biometric registration is voluntary, but it had received a very enthusiastic response from catering staff, pupils and parents when it opened for business.

Headteacher Mr Stephen Cox said: "Although biometric identification has been used in schools for library use for a number of years, we are one of the first schools in Lancashire to embrace the technology for use in paying for school meals, while it is early days the pupils have embraced the technology and we are hoping it will enhance their lunchtime experience by speeding up service."

Mrs Elaine Cox, of LCCS, demonstrates use of the cashless payment system to her daughter, Melissa, a Year 8 pupil. (s)