DOZENS of youngsters can kickstart the school day on a healthy footing thanks to new funding for their breakfast club.

Children at Brandon Primary School, on the outskirts of Durham, can look forward to two years of nutritious food following support from one of the region’s largest housing associations and a North -East charity.

A grant of £3,800 has been awarded by County Durham Housing Group to help cover the costs of food and drink for the youngsters while Greggs Foundation will provide bread for more than 50 pupils at the school every day.

It is expected that the healthy and wholesome start will help with schoolwork, and also improve social skills and behaviour in and outside of the classroom.

Deputy Headteacher Katie McGough said: “Our own evidence supports the research and we know children who enjoy a healthy breakfast with us in school are set up ready for learning for the day.”

The charity helps to feed over 32,500 pupils every day in over 500 schools across the country.

Spokesman Lynne Hindmarch said: “We’re delighted to be supporting breakfast clubs and seeing first-hand the impact having a great start makes.”