A MONKEY has left the jungle behind this week to tour County Durham schools, spreading a message about the benefits of eating a healthy diet.

The primate puppet - called Funky Monkey - has been joined by support team The Juicy Fruits to perform a show promoting the five-a-day message to schoolchildren across the county.

The show of puppetry, animation and music yesterday took children at Fishburn Primary School on a jungle journey, during which they learned about fruit and vegetables.

The session included a puppet-making workshop, movement and performance with puppets and discovering food through arts activity.

Puppeteer Emma Boor, who created the show, said: "This is a fantastic way to get an important message across in an accessible and fun way.

"Parents and their children will find out about why it's important to have five portions of fruit and vegetables a day."

The project is funded by a number of groups, including The Arts Council England, Durham County, Chester-le-Street District, Sedgefield Borough and Wear Valley District councils, Wear Valley Arts, the Elements drama initiative, County Durham Primary Care Trust and Sure Start Ferryhill and Chilton.