Schoolchildren in Hove will soon by buying their lunch by credit card.

Blatchington Mill School in Nevill Avenue hopes to introduce a "smart card" scheme next month in a bid to put an end to the problem of finding change for pupil's lunches.

The cards will be supplied free of charge and will be credited with cash or cheques sent in by parents .

Neil Hunter, the headteacher at the school, intends to limit sales of chocolate and sweets to vending machines when the cards are in use.

This will help parents limit their child's spending on unhealthy snacks as the vending machines only accept cash.

Mr Hunter said: "We are very keen to promote the Government's healthy eating recommendations and would wish to discourage children from purchasing too many chocolate bars and sweets."

He added: "Your money and your child have a greater level of security than ever before."

The school is also going to provide information to parents on the eating habits of the pupils to help the school achieve the Government's healthy eating targets.

In time the cards may incorporate photos of pupils to be used for library bookings and access control.

The smart card was introduced at East Brighton College of Media Arts in January as a pilot scheme to be monitored by other schools.

The scheme has been generally welcomed because children who are entitled to free school meals are no longer distinguishable from paying pupils while parents are able to check with the school that money given to children to charge the cards is spent on meals.