POP Idol contestant Aaron Bayley visited his old school yesterday to take a lesson in healthy living.

The Newcastle-born singer was launching a Northumbrian Water initiative to encourage children to drink more water by making water coolers available to all North-East schools.

The 28-year-old fame seeker, who was a train driver before appearing as a finalist on the first Pop Idol show which launched Will Young and Gareth Gates to stardom, launches his first solo album at Newcastle Opera House tomorrow.

He launched the water scheme at his old school, Heaton Manor, Jesmond Park West, Newcastle today.

Northumbrian Water has formed a partnership with Hepscott Water Systems of Northumberland to deliver its "chill-out" campaign.

Already 14 schools throughout the region have bought or hired mains-fed coolers and Northumbrian Water is providing financial support for schools that install coolers.

Grants are awarded according to schools' financial circumstances.

Schools in Middlesbrough, Barnard Castle, Ferryhill, Seaham, Durham, Northallerton and Redcar are among those which will have coolers installed.

John Mowbray, Northumbrian Water's Head of Communications, said: "We have turned the tap on this unique scheme to provide easy access for school children to our top-quality drinking water, and hope that they will develop a good habit of drinking plenty of water to help them at school."