OVERWEIGHT children and their families have been invited to take part in a new pilot health programme.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus is looking for 12 families to take part in The GOALS (Getting Our Active Lifestyles Started) scheme.

Designed to support children who are overweight and their families into a healthier lifestyle, it will run for 18 weeks and is aimed at families with children aged eight to 12.

Led by LA Fitness family workers and Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living team's dietician and food volunteers, the programme includes components in healthy eating, physical activity and behaviour change and goal setting.

It was devised by Liverpool John Moores University in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Primary Care Trust.

The programme has run successfully in Merseyside since 2006, where it has helped more than 200 families.

Dominic Harrison, director of public health for NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus, said children who had completed the course had become slimmer, more active, achieved healthier diets, increased their confidence and experienced better family relationships.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local families to get involved in a programme which uses small steps in order to make big changes to the health of young people in the borough.

“The results in Liverpool since the programme started there in 2006 speak for themselves and I very much hope we can have similar successes in Blackburn with Darwen.

“I encourage any families who want to improve the health of their children to sign up to take part in the programme.”

The pilot will run at Pleckgate High School, in Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, every Thursday from March 3 between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

If you are interested in taking part call Victoria McCoy before Friday, February 17 on 01254 682053 or email victoria.mccoy@blackburn.gov.uk