Cumbria is ahead of the game for putting into action the Government's new Healthy Living Blueprint' for schools, thanks to a pioneering resource pack published nearly a year ago.

"We are already well prepared and well placed to deliver this initiative," said part-time regional co-ordinator for the National Healthy Schools programme and LEA school improvement officer, Alan James.

"Every school in Cumbria has the pack with lots of examples of good practice and very good case studies which show that our schools are already doing so much towards the blueprint."

The Government is proposing that all schools will be encouraged to help children to eat sensibly, stay physically active and maintain good levels of personal health; to teach about the link between nutrition, diet and practical cooking skills, as well as using school clubs to encourage an interest in growing and cooking fruit and vegetables.

The blueprint advises that healthy choices in food and drink should be available through the school day including breakfast provision, tuck shops, vending machines and school meals, and that pupils have access to drinking water.

The proposals also incorporate provision for high quality physical education and school sport; for safe walking and cycling to school, for example; and promotion of an understanding of lifelong health.

However, with the publication of Food and Health a Whole School Approach' in November last year, Cumbria is way ahead of Government thinking on children's long-term health.

The resource pack was put together by a partnership of health and education organisations and was one of the first of its kind in the country. The brainchild of Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust food and health adviser Vivienne Prendiville, it took two years to compile.

Twelve months on, the innovations continue. Following a radical overhaul in the way school meals are delivered across the county, health and education teams are already working on an appendix with case studies and "good ideas" on ways to improve the service.

Mr James told Food & Drink: "The Secretary of State's comment that every school should be a healthy school is a crucial message. This blueprint is essential to our vision, which has already achieved so much."

In fact, the Food & Health' pack provides the guidance that schools nationwide will need to deliver the promises Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke has made.

Mrs Prendiville commented: "We welcome Government commitment in supporting schools to promote balanced eating by practising what they teach."

In Cumbria, for example, the National School Fruit Scheme has been a great success.

"We are planning to introduce carrots soon, supplied by UK growers, following a successful trial. And as part of the Morecambe Bay 5-a-Day programme we are building on the free fruit scheme to try to ensure that three portions of fruit and vegetables are available during the school day. This includes supporting schools to develop lunch box policies, growing and cooking schemes."