The Cannock Chase Post is putting up a fight... to save pink school custard!

The paper reported how the custard, as well as tapioca and the great British banger, could be under threat as local schools go on a health kick.

The campaign, launched jointly by the Chase Post, the Stafford Post and the Walsall Observer, is far from slapstick and has made a huge impact among readers – who have come down both for and against the papers' stance.

Sadly, the Teletubbies have declined to offer their support, according to editor Mike Lockley. But custard firm Birds is – understandably – getting on board.

The papers are calling on education chiefs for a pink rethink, and has launched the Save Pink Custard and Sausages campaign, claiming that the country's finest statesmen, sportsmen and showbiz stars were brought up on such food with no ill-effects!

Mike said: "There's been an amazing response during the past week both for and against our proposals.

"There is an underlying serious message here because it is part of the debate on healthy school meals.

"The county council's healthy eating czars have also written us a letter about it and we've devoted a full page to reader letters on the topic in the busiest area, the Cannock Chase Post."

The paper is still asking readers to send in letters on why the dishes should stay on school menus – and poems to illustrate the point.

Its stories came on the back of Government think-tank reports which suggested higher nutritional standards would reduce obesity and improve children's behaviour.