CHILDREN from 12 schools have an extra spring in their step today after they were given trampolines.

The schools, from across County Durham, have taken part in a trial that found evidence that taking dietary supplements of fatty acids produced a startling improvement in behaviour and concentration.

During the trial, funded by Durham County Council in association with Oxford University, 120 primary schoolchildren were given eye q omega-3 fish oil and omega-6 evening primrose oil supplements.

The six-month trial, which was published earlier this year, found significant improvements in concentration, co-ordination and memory, while 40 per cent of children made dramatic improvements in reading and spelling.

The results were so dramatic they are being studied across the world and further studies are being carried out.

At Durham County Hall yesterday, manufacturer Equazen handed over trampolines to the schools that took part in the trial as a thank-you to children and staff.

Managing director Adam Kelliher said: "The staff at the schools worked really hard to make sure the children took eye q every day and went through the inconvenience of thousands of assessments.

"The children happily lined up three times a day to take their capsules without any fuss. We are extremely grateful for their co-operation and the trampolines are a well-deserved token of our appreciation."

Lynne Bainbridge, head- teacher of Stanhope Barrington Primary School, in Stanhope, County Durham, which took part in the programme, said: "The children have really benefited from the trial with eye q and many are still taking the supplement long after the trial finished."