A SEARCH has been launched for a group of people who were the epitome of healthy schoolchildren almost half-a-century ago.

And with the couch-potato lives of many modern youngsters increasingly in the news, they could have a valid message for today's parents.

In 1956, youngsters from the primary school at New Earswick, near York, were caught on a black-and-white teacher-training film, called Free To Grow.

It showed the importance of PE and dance for healthy lifestyles and confidence-building and is now in the possession of the Yorkshire Film Archive.

In the film, the youngsters are shown doing exercises, including gymnastics, skipping, hula-hooping and dance - and not one of the pupils is overweight.

Now organisers of North Yorkshire's latest Bite Size training campaign want to hold an event on a similar theme at York St John's College on January 10.

They are hoping to track down the stars of that old film - who would now be well into middle age - to attend the launch.

"It would be fantastic if we could find some of the former pupils who starred in the film," said project manager Gillian Duncan.

"The subject matter is very topical and fits perfectly with what we are trying to do at our launch - encouraging parents to look at nutrition and healthy lifestyles for the whole family as a way of taking first steps into learning."

Anyone who was featured in the 1956 film and can attend the launch is asked to contact Carol Arthur on (01423) 562400.

Bite Size aims to boost people's confidence by encouraging them to learn a new skill that can lead to further learning or improve job prospects.

Hundreds of Bite Size free taster courses are on offer across North Yorkshire.

To find out what is happening in your area, contact the Learning Helpline on 0800 515547 or visit the website www.ynybitesize.co.uk