A PILOT scheme to tackle childhood obesity in the New Forest has been hailed a success by primary care chiefs, who now say they plan to extend the programme across in the area during the next few months.

Some 30 children from Milford Primary School took part in the pilot, which included interactive classroom discussions, poster competitions about healthy eating, lunch box surveys and cooking sessions.

The aim of the New Forest Primary Care Trust scheme is to teach youngsters aged between seven and nine about the importance of a healthy balanced diet, as well as educate their parents.

Milford Primary says that it now hopes to achieve a Healthy Schools Award by next year.

"I am pleased to see that the programme has started to reflect healthier eating in the school curriculum," said development manager, Renu Mehan. "Due to the overall positive results and good feedback received from both parents and teachers of the school, we are now looking to possibly extending the programme to pre-school children from September."

The pre-school programme is expected to involve supermarkets and organic farms so that the message cuts across all parties, says the primary care trust.

The government has set a target to halt the rise in obesity among young children by 2010.

Obesity is associated with many illnesses and is directly related to an increase in mortality and lower life expectancy.

"Obesity is the major health issue facing our children," said deputy director of public health, Dr Helen Walters.

"Evidence shows that working with whole school communities is effective in helping children learn about healthy eating and reduces their chances of becoming obese.

"Learning to eat healthily is vital to their chances of a long and healthy life."