NICOLA Sturgeon has said sorry for tucking into a school meal indoors - whilst Dreghorn children as young as five were made to eat outside.

Last week the Irvine Times exclusively revealed that five and six-year-olds were told by school staff to eat their packed lunches out in the January cold - to make room in the canteen for the First Minister and her staff who were at the school for a photo opportunity.

But after hearing of the gaff, Ms Sturgeon sent a personal letter of apology to Primary 2 and 3 pupils at the school to say she “did not mean to make their dining hall so busy”.

In her letter she said: “I am writing to thank you all for the warm welcome I received when I visited your school on Monday 5 January. It was great to be back at Dreghorn Primary School in your fantastic new school building.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of the school. It is an excellent place for learning and I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend time talking to pupils. I was delighted to hear that you are all so aware of the benefits of being healthy and how important it is to be active every day and eat a healthy diet.

“I was sorry to hear that some of you had to eat your lunch outside on the day. This is not what I would have wanted and I’m sorry my visit made your dining hall so busy.

“I am arranging for Scottish Parliament pencils to be sent to you and I hope you make good use of them!

“Thank you again for such an interesting visit and I wish you all the best for the future.” Last week the Times told how parents were left furious as their children came home and told them how they had eaten outside during Ms Sturgeon’s visit to promote the Scottish Govenrment’s new free school meals policy.

After hearing their concerns education chiefs at North Ayrshire Council apologised and the Times understands Dreghorn headteacher Phil Gosnay has personally written to the First Minister to apologise.