Ref. 72698-148TABLE manners appeared to be a thing of the past among some pupils at a Swindon school until teachers swung into action.

Messy eating had taken a hold with gravy splashing about and fingers being used.

It was so bad that some pupils didn't know how to use a knife and fork.

At Ruskin Junior School in Upper Stratton staff decided to crackdown on the messy eating a year ago.

Deputy head Jane Hurley, said: "Last year all the senior management who are on dinner duty met to discuss the problem of children not using knives and forks properly.

"There were children actually picking up bits of meat with their hands and dropping them into their mouths.

"It all got very messy especially when there was gravy on the meat.

"Some children were eating beautifully but many of them looked like they had never used a knife or fork before.

"For instance they would hold the knife like they were holding a dagger.

"So we made a conscious decision to spot the children that were doing it and teach them the right way.

"I think that co-ordination is a big part of it.

"Using a knife and fork is like using chopsticks it takes practice."

And their efforts certainly seem to be having an effect on the children well most of them anyway.

Joanna Richmond, nine, said: "All children should be trained to use a knife and fork responsibly.

"Because you shouldn't just go and pick up your chips with your fingers.

"That's just impolite.

"My parent started teaching me table manners when I was about four.

"They always say to me 'take your elbows off the table'."

Rebecca Perry, aged ten, said: "I think it's easy to use a knife and fork and I think you should.

"Otherwise it's rude and you could get told off very badly.

"I always eat with a knife and fork at home."

Lauren Crow, 10, said: "It's got easier now I'm older to use a knife and fork."

But Emma Coleman, 10, said she'd rather eat with her fingers any day: "I find it easy but I prefer eating with my hands especially if I'm eating chips or burgers and other things like that.

"If I could eat all the time with my hands I would.

"It took a long time for me to learn to use a knife and fork.

"I kept using the knife upside down."

Research by restaurant chain Brewsters claims a quarter of under 11-year-olds eat with their fingers instead of using a knife or fork.

Diane Milne