CHILDREN are taking part in a campaign to improve health and fitness across Darlington.

Staff and pupils at Skerne Park Primary School are supporting the Chance to Live campaign launched by The Northern Echo, Darlington Primary Care Trust and Darlington Borough Council to highlight the importance of heart disease and coronary care.

Darlington Primary Care Trust's school nurse, Jackie Watson, presented children with bags and T-shirts for their hard work after they organised a healthy lifestyle regime at school, which involves eating fruit and vegetables, and taking part in exercise classes.

The school ran a picnic competition in which the children had to design healthy menus. It was won by Demi Basnett, in key stage one, and Katie Steggles in key stage two.

Abbey Ward and Rebecca Wennington were runners-up and all the children received certificates.

School cooks are now preparing a picnic using the winning menus.

Pupils Kaylee Easthope and Victoria Butcher were praised for organising a healthy eating club, which has 14 members.

Victoria said: "We make sure we eat plenty of fruit and do exercises such as star jumps, steps and jumping on mats."

With the help of the Darlington care trust, the school secured skipping ropes from the British Heart Foundation and the children have been spending this week skipping to raise money for the charity.

The school also operates a healthy tuck shop, a breakfast club and is working towards securing the national Healthy Schools Award for the second time.

A Chance to Live was launched by The Northern Echo following the death of its deputy chief photographer, Ian Weir, at the age of 38.

It aimed to have more resources invested in coronary care and is now looking at prevention rather than cure.

Mrs Watson said: "I have been amazed how this school has taken this on board.

"It is important that we get through to people when they are young so we are working with schools to create the healthy individuals of the future."

Editor of The Northern Echo Peter Barron said: "Skerne Park School has really thrown itself into the campaign, which is fantastic. Let's hope its fine example encourages other schools around the town to follow suit."