THE days of pupils carrying dinner money could soon be over at two west Wiltshire schools.

St Augustine's Catholic College in Trowbridge and Kingdown School in Warminster have been chosen to run cashless catering schemes from next year.

The system will mean parents can monitor exactly what their children are eating and pupils will no longer have to carry cash to school.

Parents would top up their child's account through cheque or an online debit card payment.

Pupils would then be able to pay for meals at computer terminals, which will be operated biometrically, through a thumbprint, or by a swipe card. They could even earn points for eating healthily.

Money for the project will partly come from Wiltshire County Council, through a government grant.

Both schools, selected from a shortlist of four, have yet to decide whether to implement the scheme.

But Jon Standen, deputy headteacher at St Augustine's, said: "We are very excited by the project and it is something we would look to move ahead on as swiftly as we can.

"Parents will be able to monitor what their children eat which is in keeping with the Government's healthy schools initiative and Jamie Oliver's healthy eating campaign."

Mr Standen said payment could be by thumbprint, but he felt there would be no civil liberty issue resulting from this process, as not all the thumbprint would be stored - just points of recognition.

It is also hoped the cashless catering system would reduce the stigma for pupils receiving free meals, who are often too embarrassed to claim them.

A finance officer for Kingdown School said parents could put a block on foods they didn't want their child to eat.

She hoped the scheme would be up and running by Easter if parents gave it their backing.