A LEADING County Durham manufacturing company has landed a deal to provide education establishments nationwide with a healthier environment.

West Auckland-based Ebac, which manufactures water coolers and dehumidifiers for homes and businesses, has designed a small domestic water cooler called Eddy, which is in demand for schools in the United Kingdom.

Eddy was created to tackle health and education issues in 70 primary and secondary schools, by providing the youngsters with freshly chilled mineral water as a healthy alternative to fizzy drinks.

John Elliott, chairman of Ebac, said: "Recent research has shown children who are dehydrated do not work as well in the classroom as those who have drunk the recommended eight glasses of water a day.

"As the leading manufacturer of water coolers in Europe we stepped in to work with the schools to bring a pioneering new health initiative to the classroom.

"Children love to use a dispensing machine and the taste of icy, chilled water is proving as enticing as fizzy drinks."

Eddy takes up less space than traditional water coolers, and can be moved easily when empty.

He said: "It is imperative schoolchildren have access to a high quality water supply, and Ebac is playing a large part in helping achieve this.

"We have had excellent feedback from the Department of Education, Social Services and parents, and we are delighted to pave the way for healthier learning across the rest of the UK."