PUPILS at a troubled secondary school are being offered McDonald's burgers for lunch because of a staffing crisis in its canteen.

The problems have arisen at Montgomery School at Sturry, which is undergoing a radical shake-up in an effort to raise educational standards.

But staff shortages in the canteen have meant it cannot operate properly and hot meals are being brought in from another school. Now parents have been told that two days this week the children will be offered McDonald's.

One grandparent, who did not want to be named, said: "It is not good enough. The Government is saying that schoolchildren must eat healthily and now they are serving fast food in the school."

But executive head teacher Dr Chris Gerry insisted the fast food offerings were a temporary measure to help the school through the difficulties.

He explained: "We have a hiccup, because of some canteen staffing problems which we hope will be resolved by half term. At present, we are having to bring in meals from outside and another school is helping us out.

"But on just two days this week, we are offering McDonald's, although there will be salads, as well. We have written to parents explaining the situation, but a decision has not yet been taken on whether we will offer McDonald's again.

"But I don't think that eating McDonald's on two school days out of 190 will be unhealthy for the children. After all, most schools offer burgers at lunch times. When the staffing issues are resolved, we hope to be offering the children better and healthier food than was previously available."