SCHOOLCHILDREN across Bournemouth are being taught about healthy living with a new programme run by AFC Bournemouth.

The football club’s Community Sports Trust has joined forces with Christchurch-based digital office equipment supplier Time Business Solutions for the year-long project which will work with year seven pupils on subjects such as physical activity and smoking.

Some 22 schools have already signed up to the initiative, which will culminate with pupils visiting the Goldsands Stadium for a training session, to meet players and to have a tour of the ground.

Children will also be asked to design a healthy meal for the team as part of the programme, with match day tickets up for grabs for the winners of each school.

The overall winner will be invited to cook the meal for the players following one of their training sessions.

Nancy Hosier, a year seven pupil at Baden-Powell St Peter’s Middle School in Poole, said: “It’s really fun because we play sport-related games and they also tell us things we need to know, such as what we’re supposed to eat to have a healthy diet and how much exercise we need to do to stay fit and healthy.”

Head of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust Steve Cuss said: “We have tried to devise a project that both informs and engages with youngsters and so far the children involved appear to have really enjoyed the sessions.”

To get your school involved in the healthy living project call Steve Cuss on 01202 726342.