YOUNGSTERS have received lunch boxes, water bottles and information booklets as part of a healthy living project.

More than 3,000 children from ten schools received the items as part of Livewell Child which is being led by Braintree District Council.

The initiative is now in its second year and is aiming to stop the increase in childhood obesity rates.

So far it has included cooking clubs, the daily mile exercise scheme and free growing pots.

Peter Tattersley, councillor for health and communities, said: “We have been working with parents to identify what support they need to help them live healthy lives, and we had this in mind when designing the packs.

"Livewell Child has already engaged a number of parents via its Facebook group and in the schools, and conversations are starting to happen between parents who are supporting each other.

"We are looking forward to the year ahead where we will be delivering a ‘less screen time, more play time’ campaign and recruiting Livewell Champions."