'Keep them Safe' is the message of a leaflet to help West Devon parents prepare hygienic school packed lunches for their children.

Three thousand leaflets, produced by borough environmental health officers, have been sent to headteachers of West Devon's 27 primary schools for distribution to parents.

The leaflet gives tips on the hygienic, safe preparation and storage of packed lunches and how parents can make them healthier.

Andy Avens, a West Devon environmental health officer, hoped the leaflet was a timely reminder to parents, as children return to school after the summer break.

He said: 'Packed lunches are popular with children for their school lunch and most schools are happy for them to be brought in.

'However, not many schools are able to provide ideal storage conditions for the food that is brought in.

'Some foods, if they are prepared and stored incorrectly, can become an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that cause food poisoning.'