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Hampshire & Isle of Wight weekly round-up: 9 March - 15 March 2024

Students spoke to the BBC about their experiences of school meals

A story about a head teacher's concerns over the quality of school meals was among our most read this week in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Solent and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

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Head disgusted by state of food at his own school

Redbridge Community School Food served atRedbridge Community School
Head Jason Ashley shared images of food served at the school with parents

A head teacher has asked "how difficult is it to bake a potato?" in a despairing letter to parents about the state of food at his own school.

Jason Ashley, head of Redbridge Community School in Southampton, said meals served in its canteen were "completely unacceptable".

Caterers Chartwells apologised and promised an "immediate action plan".

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Families' anger as P&O cruises axed for refit

Laura Prince family of five - a wife, husband, two boys and a girl - stand together in formal dressLaura Prince
Cruise customer Laura Prince (right) said re-booking a similar holiday would cost her an extra £500

Families whose holidays were cancelled after plans to refurbish a cruise ship were rescheduled said they had been left "angry and upset".

Two cruises departing from Southampton on P&O's Iona in October 2025 were axed to make time for the refit.

The company said it offered full refunds and on-board spending credit to encourage people to re-book.

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Men's sanitary bins installed in council buildings

Getty Images Sanitary binGetty Images
Hampshire County Council will spend almost £7,000 on the initiative to put sanitary bins in men's toilets

Sanitary bins are being installed in staff and public men's toilets in Hampshire council buildings.

The county council has said it is backing the Prostate Cancer UK Boys Need Bins campaign.

The charity is urging authorities to provide waste options for men to dispose of items like incontinence pads, stomas and catheters.

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Troubled island ferry to be replaced

Allan Marsh Isle of Wight chain ferryAllan Marsh
Floating Bridge 6 has been beset with problems since it was introduced in May 2017

The troubled Isle of Wight Floating Bridge is set to be replaced, the council has confirmed.

The £3.5m chain ferry, which crosses the River Medina between Cowes and East Cowes, has been plagued with issues since it was installed in 2017.

The council's executive cabinet unanimously agreed to replace Floating Bridge 6.

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Tiger opens wide for root canal operation

Marwell Zoo Amur tiger, BagaiMarwell Zoo
The big cat was anaesthetised during the dental treatment

A 27-stone (170kg) tiger has undergone root canal treatment after breaking a tooth.

Amur tiger Bagai was booked into Marwell Zoo's in-house vets after keepers at the zoo near Winchester noticed he was in pain.

By removing decayed pulp and filling the cavity, the tooth was saved.

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