PARENTS of children at Lea County Primary School have launched a healthy eating campaign.

So far 60 parents have signed a petition demanding that cakes, crisps, sweets and biscuits continue to be banned from the playground.

The campaign follows complaints by one parent Tony Lawton, highlighted in the Citizen last week. He said banning children from eating crisps was ridiculous. But the majority of parents at the school want healthy eating to stay a priority and are worried if some children are allowed to eat crisps, then all of them will want to.

Mother-of-two Sarah Taylor of Lidget Avenue, said: "We fought hard for this healthy eating policy and we'd like it to stay.

"It has really taken off. Most of the children buy fruit in the morning for their lunch time break. I think fruit is much better for them."

But marketing manager for Benson's Crisps John Mudd reckoned crisps were more healthy. He said: "A packet of crisps contains more vitamin C than an apple and they are more beneficial than most breakfast cereals."

Mrs Taylor added: "If children see others eating crisps and cakes then they will all want them. We'd like to keep our healthy eating policy by only allowing them to eat fruit."

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