A GROUNDBREAKING scheme is aiming to defuse the ticking timebomb of childhood obesity by getting more children across south Essex up and active during their schoolday.

As figures show more than a quarter of UK children are now overweight, health chiefs believe the key to keeping youngsters slim and fit is to build more modern and exciting play equipment in schools to encourage them to work up a sweat.

For the first time ever NHS South West Essex primary care trust is investing money into play equipment – ploughing £3million into its 21st Century Playground scheme.

All 161 schools across the South West Essex area, which covers Basildon, Billericay, Wickford and Thurrock, will receive funding to build their own playground, which features climbing walls, stage areas, tyre swings and assault course style equipment.

The project began in October and already 78 schools across the region have had equipment installed, with many more on the waiting list.

Grange Primary School in Elder Avenue, Wickford, has already had its playground built.

Headteacher Lyn Cordoroy said: “It looks amazing and we hope to be able to use it very soon. We’re just waiting for training from the scheme advisers which is needed so the children know how to use the equipment properly, and then they’ll all be out there using it every breaktime.

“We do put a lot of effort into ensuring out pupils are aware of being healthy through having a healthy diet and exercising.

“I think it’s something most children are a lot more aware of today than when people of my generation were at school.

“Not only are they aware of the importance of not becoming obese as a child, but they also know how important it is to stay fit and healthy as an adult and they are aware of the consequences of what could happen if they don’t.”

Cherry Tree Primary School in Church Road, Basildon, is another school to take advantage of the scheme.

“The playground is a great idea,” said headteacher Eileen Heaphy.

“It’s all about getting pupils to enjoy their time outdoors and have fun through playing.

“These playgrounds even have stage areas where children can put on performances in the summer, which is another brilliant aspect.”

Ruth Ainsworth, spokesman for NHS South West Essex, said: “Evidence carried out by the Government demonstrates that this kind of creative, active play can help reduce childhood obesity, reducing the burden on the local NHS by ensuring children never develop these problems in the first place.

“The project represents a major investment in increasing children’s daily activity levels.”

Melody Williams, head of health improvement for children and young people at NHS South West Essex, said the playground project is proving to be extremely popular: “The response to the project has been astounding,” she said.

“Funding is available for all the schools in the area, but we’ve been approaching them one by one. Every single school we’ve spoken to so far has decided to go ahead and have the equipment installed.

“The initiative fits really well with work schools are doing to be-come healthy and will enable children and young people to become more active in a variety of ways.

“This project is really important because as it focuses on play, games and movement and not just sports, you can even have active maths and literacy lessons using the equipment.”