SCHOOLS in County Durham have been handed £1,000 each to help pay for healthy breakfast clubs.

Durham County Council's Sure Start programme has given the money to 182 primary and secondary schools.

The funding will help pay for breakfast clubs to ensure food is healthy and nutritious and meets proposed Government standards.

Alison Young, food and healthy school advisor for the council, said: "The issue of obesity is becoming an increasing problem and the county council is working hard with health providers to tackle the issue.

"Schools are being actively encouraged to develop a whole-school approach to healthy eating, and through the funds Sure Start has provided for breakfast clubs, this will enable them to make much quicker progress."

The county council has also been working with primary care trusts and schools to tackle the causes of ill health and low academic attainment.

Evidence suggests that diet and exercise can have a major impact on levels of concentration and ability to learn, as well as on long-term health.

Frank Firth, of Sure Start County Durham, said: "Attendance at the clubs provides pupils with the opportunity to engage in many different activities at the beginning of the school day, whether it's a physical activity or social activities such as chess or arts and crafts."