A nine-year-old girl was refused a full school dinner because of a £7.20 debt owed by her parents.

Danielle Ratcliff , a pupil at Napier Community Primary School, in Gillingham, was given £2 to buy a meal on Monday .

But it wasn’t enough for the school’s catering contractor Scholarest.

Basic

They called Danielle’s mother Claire to say her daughter would only be served a basic menu because of the unpaid bill.

Mrs Ratcliff, of Windsor Road, Gillingham, said: “I was at work when I got the call so I had to ring a friend and ask them to get a McDonald’s happy meal and take it to the school for noon so Danielle had something to eat at lunchtime.

“I knew there was a debt and I gave the money to Danielle to take in to school before the summer holidays, but for whatever reason that money has not been handed over. It’s not like we can’t afford to pay.

“I work part-time, my husband Paul works full-time and my 12-year-old son is at boarding school.

I could understand them refusing to feed Danielle if there was a debt of say £140, but £7.20?”

Mrs Ratcliff has decided to remove her child from the school over the row.

Head teacher Zerina Slade said “We take the wellbeing of every pupil seriously.

“The cook contacted the parent first thing in the morning when it was brought to the school’s attention that there was an outstanding debt on the account.

“It was made clear the child would not be left to go hungry, but that the full menu would not be available until the outstanding debt was repaid.

We are working with the parent and the caterer to ensure this matter is resolved swiftly.”