THE traditional school nurse is to be replaced by a team of health professionals in a bid to tackle poor health among children.

Health bosses have acted because children in Blackburn and Darwen have some of the poorest health and shortest life expectancy in the UK.

Childhood tooth decay is running at twice the rate as the rest of the UK's average.

And one in three young people are said to be clinically obese, compared to the national average of one in five children.

Now investment worth £200,0000, being made by Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust, will see the former school nursing service become the children and young people's health service.

The move, part of the trust's new health and wellbeing campaign, will see children having their weight measured and their eyes tested regularly.

Pupils aged between four and nine years old will also benefit from health promotion activities such as improved dental health and awareness sessions on skin cancer.

A mix of health professionals will work with children and young people within each neighbourhood, and target those with additional health needs.

Strategic manager Alison Rutter said the traditional school nurse alone could not meet the changing health needs of children and young people.

Support workers, school nurses, health advisors and youth health workers and health advisors will team up to ensure the right person with the best skills for the job can deliver the correct services.

Mrs Rutter added: "Some children and young people will receive additional health services where there are greater health needs or greater risks to health.

"Children and young people will receive services based on need, no matter where they live within the borough."

Christine Dixon, service development manager, added: "There are new enduring health threats that disproportionately affect disadvantaged and marginalised children and young people.

"These include increased rates of common childhood infections, high rates of accidental injury, increasing levels of obesity, increased rates of smoking, high rates of alcohol consumption, rapidly increasing sexually-transmitted infections and increasing mental health needs.

"The children and young people's health service is well placed to deliver on these health targets by providing general information and advice, along with educating children and young people about health choices and managing risk.

"Preventative action can ensure that children have the best possible chance to realise their full potential."