TOTS in Blackburn and Darwen are to be put through their paces in the latest initiative to combat obesity.

Children as young as 18 months are to get personal trainers in a bid to get them started early on exercise.

Blackburn with Darwen Council will hire a physical development officer to work with families at SureStart centres to bring exercise into their lives.

Elizabeth Ellison will run two programmes, one for children aged between 18 months and three years and another for three- to five-year-olds based on a national programme.

Activities include dance and ball games to help children develop movement, co-ordination and concentration, as well as encourage co-operative play with others.

An estimated 20 per cent of four-year-olds in the UK are overweight, according to the British Heart Foundation's Couch Kids report in 2000.

Research shows many children choose non-physical activities like television or computer games, rather than exercise which is often not seen as fun. Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning, said "It is a fantastic scheme. By getting children hooked on exercise at a young age they can enjoy the benefits throughout their lives.

"And by involving the parents, the whole family are being made aware of how exercise can be fun, inexpensive and accessible."

The council has been working closely with Sure Start, a national project that is part of the Government's childcare strategy to support families. The aim is to have easier access to health, childcare, education and family support. The four SureStart areas in Blackburn are Audley and Queen's Park, Shadsworth and Whitebirk, Blackburn West and Mill Hill.