A CONTROVERSIAL project to weigh Blackburn and Darwen pupils is under way, with the majority of schools taking part.

Children aged nine and 10 have been stepping on to the scales at primary schools throughout the borough as part of a study into obesity in young people.

The scheme raised fears some children would be teased when it was their turn to be weighed, but health bosses have insisted the weighing will be done in private.

Schools were asked to take part and then had to ask parents if they were happy for their child to be weighed.

Of the 52 schools contacted, 38 asked for training so staff can take the child's height and weight said Mebz Bobat, curriculum and learning enhancement manager for Blackburn with Darwen Council, one of the partners behind the scheme.

He said: "I think there are one or two schools which said they weren't going to do it because the sensitive side was too much for them."

Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for education and lifelong learning at the council said: "Staff in schools are very conscious of children's sensitivities and will do all they can to ensure children feel comfortable about this study."

One of the first schools to take part is St Luke and St Philip's C of E Primary School, Hancock Street, Blackburn.

Of the 24 children from year five, the year targeted by the study, four parents had asked their children not to be weighed, said headteacher Gill Harding.

She said: "That is not a problem, that is how we always work in schools. With sensitive issues we wouldn't expect 100 per cent participation."

Mrs Harding added: "This is part of our whole ethos of improving the health of children in the school."

Data collected from the weigh-ins has to be handed to researchers at Manchester University by the end of the summer term.

The results will then be fed back to the council and health chiefs at Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust.

Vanessa Hollings, children's commissioning manager at the PCT, said: "The survey will enable us to identify whether or not obesity is a problem for children in Blackburn with Darwen so we can target resources accordingly.

"Currently national data on obesity is available but not local figures.

"The programme of work that will emerge from this project will be part of a range of initiatives involving schools, parents and the wider community."