Biscuits and chocolate are out and apples and carrots are in. That was the message given to young children at a north Norfolk school, as obesity rates and inactivity levels among youngsters reach epic proportions.

Young children at Millfield Primary School in North Walsham have been getting tips on what to eat and how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The school was visited on Friday, November 17 by Premier Wellbeing, a national programme for children.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb also took time out of his busy schedule to help spread the message.

Ross Catchpole, senior manager at Premier, said: 'This has been relatively untouched within primary schools.

'We promote an holistic approach to health and wellbeing for the child. As well as talking about healthy eating and exercise, we also talk about how much sleep they're getting and what their urine colour is, all in a fun and engaging way.'

Mr Lamb said: 'Promoting healthy food at school is so important. We have a serious issue in this country with obesity, particularly among children. Exercise and a good balanced diet is so significant.

'If we carry on as we are then the health implications of obesity are going to be severe. It leads to diabetes, less happy lives and well-being. Children need to understand the importance of healthy eating and exercise.'

Pupil Poppy Dyke, seven, seemed to get the message. She said: 'If you eat too much chocolate and you don't brush your teeth your teeth will rot.' And she added, quite correctly, that she would never eat 10 biscuits in one go.

Teacher and PE leader Robin Smith said: 'We want to encourage healthy living in and out of school. We try to get children to learn more about what goes in their bodies, and to eat that bit better.'

The interactive sessions also urged children to think about what snacks they have when they get home, how many packs of crisps they eat, and what they have for breakfast.

Nearly a third of all children, aged between two and 15, in the UK are either overweight or obese.