SCHOOLS and nurseries in West Dunbartonshire now provide vegan meals after work from a campaigning parent.

Alexis Kasravi successfully secured the meals for her five-year-old daughter Mia at St Joseph's RC Primary School in Clydebank, leading to all schools in the council area now offering vegan food options.

It comes after a hard-fought campaign from her parents when little Mia was in nursery last year.

Alexis got in touch with The Vegan Society, whose legal team helped write her a former letter to the council's education officer in which she asked for her daughter to be provided with the vegan meals.

She said: "I am very happy that my daughter can enjoy the meals she deserves and that other vegan children will automatically be offered this option.

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"Mia is now in primary school and enjoying her food very much, and we don’t have to worry about secondary school battles later either.

"It’s important for public institutions like schools to cater for vegan pupils, but plant based food can be enjoyed by most people, so it promotes inclusivity, sustainability and good nutrition."

Alexis' initial request for Mia's nursery to provide vegan meals last year was refused.

And the parent was not able to bring in food for her daughter due to health and cross contamination concerns.

Dr Jeanette Rowley, The Vegan Society’s legal advisor, said: “We are delighted to have been able to help Alexis and Mia.

“Veganism is protected under human rights and equality law, which means if a child is eligible for a free school meal, the duty is not to discriminate by providing a vegan option.

“All children, regardless of their ethical convictions, should be able to benefit from government-funded schemes; we applaud the school and council for recognising this."