NHS was compelled to introduce trialling free school meals in Lincolnshire after learning that pupils were bringing chocolate-filled Smartie-sandwiches in their lunch, reports the Huffington Post.

Considering the childhood obesity rates in the UK, NHS bosses were brought in as reinforcements to tackle pupils' unhealthy eating habits after teachers in Lincolnshire found that children were being sent to school with lunch pack having sandwiches filled with Smarties.

The American news website learns that health workers at NHS Lincolnshire were appalled to find that in the county, which has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the UK, the majority of kids were gorging on crisps, sweets, pork pies and other fattening snacks during school lunch breaks.

Expressing concerns about the accelerating rates of childhood obesity in the region, a public health consultant for NHS Lincolnshire, Lynne McNiven told the online newspaper that it's understandable that parents put a lot of effort and time packing lunch for school but it is also important to feed kids with nutritious food instead of junk to dodge weight problems.

McNiven hopes that those who are eligible for free school meals (FSMs) should be encouraged by their parents to have hot lunches at school, as there is evidence showing that kids who eat a nutritional lunch behave and concentrate better, notes the web newspaper based in the US.

The pilot scheme that has been introduced in 32 schools of Lincolnshire to improve the nutritional value of kids' lunch will run until the middle of February free school meals scheme, learns the Huffington Post.