PUPILS at two schools have plenty to smile about because they attend the only two schools in Darlington with fewer than a third of pupils who have no bad teeth.

Darlington is the fifth worst area for dental decay in under- fives in the North and Yorkshire region.

But Middleton St George and Cockerton Church of England primary schools subscribe to a scheme which provides subsidised milk for pupils at morning breaks.

Dr David Landes, a consultant in dental health with County Durham and Darlington Health Authority, said milk with fluoride could improve children's teeth.

Mary Chadwick, headteacher at Middleton St George Primary School, said: "We don't have a tuck shop and have a policy of no sweets in school. Children can have fruit instead."