SCHOOLCHILDREN in Wear Valley have been chosen to take part in an innovative pilot scheme aimed at improving co-ordination skills.

Every primary, secondary and special school in the district will be given a range of specialist sporting equipment, which is used by top football clubs to help with fitness training.

The scheme is costing thousands of pounds and is funded by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, which has teamed up with The Northern Echo, Wear Valley District Council and Northumbria Water in the Chance to Live Campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.

The scheme is being run by a partnership involving the Trust, Durham County Council and Wear Valley Sport Action Zone and is part of the Lifelong Exercise Activity Programme (LEAP).

Alan Duff LEA Partnership Development Manager for Durham County Council said: "This initiative will provide in-service training for teachers and innovative equipment for use by every pupil in the 47 schools.

"We hope that over the course of the pilot we see a noticeable improvement in skill and health-related fitness among the young people in Wear Valley.''

The equipment will help improve fundamental co-ordination, movement and athletic skills such as running, jumping, balance and hand-eye co-ordination.

Speed, Agility and Quickness (SAQ) equipment has already been used successfully by many Premiership clubs as well as the England Rugby Squad. It will see children put through their paces using small plastic hurdles, roll-out ladders and balance discs. It will be used in both PE lessons and extra-curricular activities.

One teacher from each school has already received training in how to deliver lessons using the equipment.

Mr Duff and colleagues from Durham County Council will visit each school to help take the training forward.

Mr Duff said: "We had a trainer come from Loughbrough last Friday and one teacher from each school was trained how to use the equipment and that was then taken back to the school.

"This is something that will help all youngsters of all abilities progress with their balance and co-ordination skills.''