EAST Lancashire pupils are to receive free pedometers and mini beanbags as part of a scheme to fight against childhood obesity.

Up to 30,000 primary school children across the North West are taking part in a new schools programme launched by children's charity MedEquip4Kids, including those at eight East Lancashire schools.

Pupils aged seven to 11 will each be given a pedometer as an incentive to increase their daily number of steps, while younger children aged three to six will get a mini beanbag and shown a number of fun exercises that can be done with them.

The Get Active With Pip' programme has been created in conjunction with Manchester Primary Care Trust encouraging children to adopt a healthy lifestyle and get the recommended one hour of exercise every day.

Simonstone St Peters CE Primary School, Peel Park Primary School in Accrington, Holy Trinity CE School in Darwen, St Mary's RC Primary School in Clitheroe, Holy Saviour RC Primary School in Nelson, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Barnoldswick, and St Mary's RC and St Anne's Edgeside CE Primary Schools in Rossendale have all signed up to the programme.

Ian Hopkins, head of Simonstone Primary, in School Lane, said: "MedEquip4Kids is our dedicated charity this year towards which all our fund-raising will go.

"The get fit scheme will complement the various things we already do to promote healthy living for our pupils.

"We have the national healthy schools accreditation, and we're currently working towards getting Lancashire County Council's Healthy Schools plaque.

"Our parents' association pays for our junior children to get a piece of fruit a day as well as the infants.

"We have a school travel plan to encourage pupils to walk to school, and also many sport after-school clubs."

MedEquip4Kids schools presenters will speak to pupils on Monday about the five steps to stay healthy - healthy eating, drinking water, staying active, getting enough sleep, and personal hygiene - before giving out games to play at home along with the pedometers and beanbags.

The Prestwich-based charity raises money to provide specialist paediatric medical equipment to hospitals and community teams across the North West.

For more information on Get Active With Pip and MedEquip4Kids, visit www.medequip4kids.org.uk or call the appeals office on 0161 798 1600.