MORE than 200 children will take part in an event to teach them about the environment and the impact on their health.

The year five pupils from St Joseph's, St John Vianney, Ward Jackson, St Cuthbert's, West View, Greatham and Lynnfield primary schools will attend the Hartlepool Environment Roundabout at the Borough Hall today and tomorrow.

Issues to be covered include waste and recycling, transport, asthma, smoking and its impact on health and the environment, litter and the law, energy, climate change and local wildlife.

The event is being co-ordinated by the council's health and environment team, Cleveland Police and the Teesmouth Field Centre.

Emma Tierney, the council's principal officer for health and environment, said: "The aim is to give the children a chance to learn about different aspects of the environment and how it can affect their health by staging scenarios.

"It offers an enjoyable way of teaching children to become more aware of environmental issues and what they can do to help protect the environment.

"The knowledge that the children gain can then be carried into the wider community and their everyday lives."

Environment Roundabout has been running since 2000.