Like all cashless systems, there are numerous benefits to this installation, including a faster service time, increased parent confidence that the dinner money is being used for the intended purpose and the ability to encourage healthy eating.

The new systems in place at the two schools have another benefit; the children don't have to carry cards, which is one less thing for them to lose. All they need to pay for their meals is their finger!

The biometric scanner involves measuring a number of points on a finger and converting this information to a unique number. The scanners are used at every till and all a pupil has to do is place their finger on the reader, and it recognises who they are.

The information held on the computer cannot be re-converted back into an image of the fingerprint. So all in all, it's a quick and safe way to pay for your lunch.