PATRIOTS have criticised a decision to serve ‘Welsh dragon meatballs’ to Oxfordshire schoolchildren on St George’s Day.

Pupils at up to 80 per cent of county primary schools can have the meatballs at lunchtime today.

Andrew Rosindell MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary St George’s Day Group, said: “I think it’s a strange choice for April 23. It’s a bit of a faux pas. I would have hope next year they’d serve Welsh dragon meatballs on the day of the Welsh patron saint and something more English on St George’s Day.”

The meatballs are due to be served to children today as part of an ongoing three week rota of school meals devised by the council’s catering arm Food With Thought.

Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “Schools catering staff have made it clear to schools that menus can be interchanged and, consequently, schools could have roast beef and Yorkshire pudding on St George's Day.

“You can't get any more English than that.”