CHILDHOOD obesity is increasing in Britain with a large number of children suffering from the disease. The latest tool used to fight against the battle of the bulge is exercise.

Three schools are keeping fat at bay by taking part in the South Worcestershire School Sports Partnership - a national strategy funded by the government to help raise standards in PE.

Pershore High, Evesham High and Prince Henry's High School are all working towards one goal - keeping children interested in PE while educating them on the importance of exercise.

Sam Hook, from Pershore High, a PE and school sport co-ordinator, PESSCo, is responsible for organising a programme establishing competitive and fun events.

Miss Hook said: "This scheme is important mainly because of the health benefits and the effects it has on children. Exercise can improve a child's self esteem and body image."

The programme planned to come into force this September aims to increase exercise classes within schools by two hours. Currently the amount of exercise carried out by children at Pershore High is two 50-minute sessions a week.

PE and school co-ordinators will have a two-day release a week enabling them to organise and prepare a new sports system, catering for every child's sporting ability.

Miss Hook added: "The teaching of sports will get better and better through this national project. I am looking at increasing more sports particularly the extra curriculum activities throughout the school day."

The national scheme allows PESSCo's and Partnership development managers to identify children's strengths and weaknesses in sports while recognising new ways of keeping a child's interest in remaining healthy.

More exercise classes are evolving such as yoga and botcher, a game of skittles using a ramp to help improve a child's aim. The vale schools are acknowledging that pupils are moving away from the traditional sports such as hockey and netball.

To raise enthusiasm among the pupils at Pershore High, Miss Hook has sent out questionnaires to find out what exercises children would like to participate in.

Karen Bell, a partnership development manager from Evesham High, believes the national strategy will benefit children by educating and empowering them.

Miss Bell, a keen sports fan herself, believes increasing activities for her pupils before, during and after school will lead to a healthier approach to sports.

The 29-year-old PDM teacher said: "It's nice to know that the government are starting to recognise the importance of PE. The partnership allows us to improve the standards of PE for those children who do not wish to participate in PE."

Evesham High and Pershore High have both been involved in offering different types of sports such as a dance festival and indoor athletics.

Bernard Roberts, headteacher at Prince Henry's High School said: "This project will have a very positive outcome as it's likely to engage more young people in sporting activities. It will encourage those pupils who do not traditionally take part in sports while increasing their fitness levels."