PLANS to scrap free milk for school children have been shelved after Government ministers admitted it has a 'valuable role to play'.

Nearly a million young primary school children were in danger of losing their mid-morning drink when proposals to remove the £1.5 million subsidy were announced.

The plans caused outrage among teachers and parents and led to Bolton North East MP David Crausby tabling a Commons motion opposing the plans.

But on Monday, Sustainable Food and Farming Minister, Lord Bach, said the subsidy would stay.

He said: "Along with my colleagues from the Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health, I have considered all relevant factors including the recommendations in the recent report.

"We have agreed the scheme has a valuable role to play and should remain unchanged."

There had been a question mark over the subsidy after a report said the scheme was inefficient.

The subsidised milk given to the children - 11.4p for a third of a pint - exceeded the 8.4p to 10p price for non-subsidised supermarket milk.

It was argued that had the milk been stopped, it would have meant thousands of children having no access to vital nutrients because many are not given the opportunity to drink milk at home. Paul Smith, headteacher of Johnson Fold Primary School, welcomed the decision.

"This is excellent news and we are absolutely delighted with it," he said.

"Our reception class children really look forward to the cartons of milk they have mid-morning and it would have been extremely unfortunate had their daily quota taken away."

Rebecca Withington, reception teacher at the school, had described the plan to scrap the subsidy as "criminal" in last Thursday's Bolton Evening News. She described the free milk as a social event for the children as well as beneficial for their health.

"The children enjoy sitting down together at tables and drinking their milk. For some it is a social environment they are perhaps not that familiar with.

"Now we can continue with it and they are getting their vitamins and minerals in the bargain. I am delighted with the decision."

Mr Smith said: "Perhaps now the powers that be can look into expanding the free fruit scheme for Key Stage 2 pupils. That could be the next campaign."

Mr Crausby said: "I'm delighted that ministers have recognised the valuable role the school milk scheme plays in promoting good health and that they have agreed to keep it. They have made the right decision in the best interests of children in Bolton and across the country."