An Italian man has invented edible plates.

Catering boss Tiziano Vincentini has created the culinary breakthrough as a way to save schools money and time on washing up.

The plates are made from a strong bread dough, which are tough enough to last through lunch and tasty enough to eat afterwards.

The 50-year-old man said: "I used to work in school catering and watching all that money being thrown away was criminal," he said.

"These dishes cost a few pennies each and are either eaten by the kids or go into recycling bins for animal food."