THOUSANDS of children and their families will take part in a European health and fitness camp in County Durham next month.

The camp will see children from east Durham team up with youngsters from Hungary, Ireland, Wales, and the North-West of England in five days of activities to promote healthy lifestyles.

Aimed at young people aged seven to 13, it is organised as part of the European Year of Education Through Sport.

The camp, at Durham University's Maiden Castle sports complex, will start with a Family Health and Fitness Awareness Day, involving about 500 families from East Durham, on Saturday, July 3.

It will include practical activities, workshops, stalls and talks covering the wider issues of health and fitness.

The sports complex will become the focus for four days of activities from Monday, July 5,when 800 children will take part in a health day.

About 1,000 year six primary pupils and their European partner schools will take part in a health day on Tuesday, July 6, and about 1,000 secondary pupils will take part in their health day on Wednesday, July 7.

The activities culminate in a Mini Olympic Games involving year six children, their European partners and young people from Durham City primary schools on Thursday, July 8.

About 250 European guests will take part. As well as activities such as rowing, fencing, cycling and orienteering, the camp will look at the wider issues of health such as diet and drug and alcohol abuse.

Easington Primary Care Trust spokeswoman Claire Matthews said: "The overall aim is to promote healthy lifestyles and link in to existing key initiatives such as the Five a Day healthy diet project.

"The camp will focus strongly on raising awareness of the increased problems of obesity and diabetes in young people and promote a spirit of friendship and good attitudes in sport.

"It is not simply a one-off event, but part of a ten-year programme to educate young people and their families in the district in healthy living."

Partners in the camp are District of Easington School Sport Co-ordinators, Durham County Council's International Relations Office, Easington Primary Care Trust, District of Easington sport development team, Durham University, SAQ International, Positive Futures and Coalfields Regeneration Trust.