IDEAS are flowing more freely at a Whitefield primary school after staff introduced water drinking to the timetable.

All 205 children at St Michael's RC Primary are encouraged to take sips of water during the school day to avoid them getting dehydrated.

Headteacher Mr Norman Duffin said keeping the youngsters hydrated helped to improve performance.

He added: "As part of a healthy schools initiative, we look at the diet of our pupils and encourage them to eat a piece of fruit every day. There is also evidence to suggest that if you drink water regularly it improves your concentration."

To help get the scheme started, pupils were asked not to take in fizzy or sugary drinks to school and they were each provided with a trendy water bottle by United Utilities.

Parent Simon Loonan, whose children Ryan and Samantha attend the school, works for United Utilities and the company was only too happy to supply the water bottles.

Mr Duffin said: "The children are asked to fill the bottle at home in the morning and they can drink from it during lessons, without the disruption of leaving the classroom. However, the younger children in the reception class are a bit young so they are allowed a cup of water. In time we hope to install either a water fountain or water cooler so pupils can fill up their bottles during the day."

And has the initiative had any positive effects on the pupils' education?

"Well, we have noticed a few extra visits to the toilet," said Mr Duffin, "but they do seem to be working better in lessons. I think we'll have to wait a few more weeks before we can really tell."