PUPILS had a taste of poverty as they gathered for lunch this week.

Staff and students from Cobham Hall School were able to experience the disparity of wealth and food across the globe as they took part in its world at lunch event.

The girls were assigned randomly to different countries and were given a meal to reflect its population and reality of life.

A few sat at a smartly laid table and enjoyed a three course meal with waitress service.

Others sat at a long wooden table and tucked into a substantial meal while the majority gathered on the floor to eat a communal lunch of rice and water.

A similar event was held in 2006 - helping to make students and staff aware a large proportion of the world’s population do not share in the world’s wealth.