Hundreds of Blackburn with Darwen toddlers are now brushing their teeth every day at family hubs and children centre nurseries.

The communal sessions are boosting moves by the council to continue its efforts to improve the oral health of children.

Last year it was revealed the borough no longer had the worst rate of tooth decay among five-year-olds in England.

In 2021, 51 per cent of them had some form of tooth decay - the highest rate in the country - but the March 2023 figures from the National Dental Epidemiology Programme show this had fallen to 40 per cent.

This fall to fifth in England's league of child tooth decay shame followed Blackburn with Darwen Council launching a £120,000 a year Oral Health Improvement Strategy up to 2026.

Now the authority has revealed all two to four-year-olds attending its family hubs and children's centre nurseries, 411 in total, take part in the communal tooth brushing sessions.

By brushing their teeth together, the programme ensures all young children are brushing their teeth to keep them healthy.

Cllr Julie Gunn, Blackburn with Darwen Council's children's services boss, said: "This is fantastic news and shows the vital role our family hubs and partners are playing in promoting children’s good oral health in the borough.

"We are making really good strides in Blackburn with Darwen in reducing rates of tooth decay and this toothbrushing initiative is a big part of that."

Borough public health boss Cllr Damian Talbot said: "Public Health and the family hubs are working with families and offering awareness, support and education around oral health including through our fantastic parent champions who help to spread the word about good toothbrushing.

"This is really positive and I want to say a huge well done.

"The hubs are providing guidance on proper dental hygiene, healthy eating habits, and the importance of regular dental check-ups.

"They integrate oral health awareness into broader family support services and ensure that parents and caregivers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to promote good oral health practices from an early age.

"This then helps to reduce tooth decay and improve long-term health outcomes for children."