SCHOOL kitchens across Scotland have been ordered to improve food hygiene standards 83 times in the past five years, figures show.

The Food Standards Agency issued the notices after inspecting schools, nurseries and after-school clubs. The number of notices increased from four in 2009 to five in 2010, 23 in 2011 and 28 by 2012. There were 23 notices last year.

Conservative education spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said the figures were "shocking" and called for better standards.