Council leader Ken Thornber, said: "Hampshire County Council takes its responsibility for the health and wellbeing of pupils and staff at its 530 schools very seriously.

"We welcome Environmental Health Inspections, which are carried out at regular intervals and assist us in ensuring our facilities are meeting the required standards.

"When comments are made following an inspection we always take appropriate action.

"Since the reports were written we have carried out, or are due to carry out, remedial/redecoration works at the kitchens identified, with much of the work completed or targeted for completion during school holidays.

"This is the only time work of this nature can be done without infringing on food safety legislation or stopping school meal provision to pupils.

"All staff working in school kitchens are required to undergo continuous training on food safety and food hygiene procedures. Where further training needs are highlighted to us, such as through comments by Environmental Health inspectors, additional training is provided and this has been the case in the instances referred to.

"In the last ten years none of our schools have been subject to an Improvement Notice or faced closure following an inspection and although inspectors have pointed out areas they feel require attention most of these are usually minor and do not require disciplinary action to be taken by Environmental Health.

"Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the following establishments, although they are in Hampshire, which are mentioned in the reports. These are: Embley Park School, Winchester University, YMCA Fairthorne Manor, Woodhill Park School and Asquith Court School. At the time of the report Compton Church of England Primary School had responsibility for kitchen maintenance."