A NORTH Somerset academy has employed eight workers to help keep things clean at lunchtimes.

Community mentors have been introduced at Priory Community School in Worle.

The uniformed workers keep the school litter free and encourage students to take responsibility for their actions during the 90-minute lunchtime period.

They come from a variety of backgrounds and include mums, students and graduates.

Head of lower school, Rob Berry, said: “The idea of dinner ladies worked in the past but we find this model much more efficient.

“Our school is outstandingly clean, and the students show pride in it.

“These mentors make the school run efficiently at lunchtime and incidents of poor behaviour have reduced significantly. “Instead of policing the school, they are there to build relationships with students.”

Specialist caterers still serve the school dinners at the Queensway site.