BREXIT will not affect Hampshire schoolchildren’s lunchtime meals, the county council has confirmed, despite other authorities needing to stockpile foods.

Some schools across the country have also been looking at locally sourcing their ingredients, as the lack of details of the divorce bill is hanging trade agreements up in the air.

But Hampshire County Council has said that it already sources food locally, so won’t be impacted by Brexit.

However, Southampton City Council said that whilst its schools won’t be disrupted, the government has promised, it is concerned about a the impact on the port of Portsmouth on the area.

A spokesperson for the authority said: “The Government has advised the council that there will not be any disruption to food supplies arriving at UK ports after Brexit.

“However, we remain very concerned that Ministers have not listened to local advice about the risk of disruption at Portsmouth Port in particular.

“The council is keeping in close touch with schools and will pass on any information we receive about risks to food supply.”

Hampshire County Council’s economic development chief Councillor Mel Kendal, said: “Hampshire County Council already sources the majority of its school meal ingredients from within the UK, as part of our commitment to sustainability and supporting the local economy. We always consider UK suppliers first when sourcing food and will continue to work with our existing suppliers to provide balanced meals for our school children.”

As reported, the UK is set to leave the European Union on March 29, although an official agreement is yet to be reached.

Prime Minister Theresa May has had two of her draft agreements shelved by MPs.

However, Mrs May has warned that if her deal is not passed by Parliament, then the UK will leave with “no-deal” – resulting in potentially disastrous trade agreements for the country.