PRIMARY school children throughout East Lancashire are being urged to design a poster to help promote a healthy lifestyle - and win £1,000 for their school in the process.

The Stay Healthy, Keep Fit promotion supported by leading uniform manufacturers Trutex, based in Clitheroe, has been backed by both Blackburn Rovers and Burnley football clubs.

Rovers midfielder Aaron Mokoena said: "As a sportsman you can quickly appreciate that your body is an engine and an engine can only perform properly with the right sort of fuel put into it.

"We are very keen as a club and a group of players to take particular care not just of what we eat, but when we eat.

"It goes without saying that a healthy balanced diet is essential and whenever possible try to replace a packet of crisps with a piece of fruit.

"There are times when everyone deserves a little treat and I suppose it is a case of good sense and moderation."

Burnley FC's official Player of the Year Wade Elliott has also urged young people to get involved with the Stay Healthy, Keep Fit promotion..

He said: "Your health is so important and you can do so much to help yourself.

"As a professional sportsman I know the value of looking after myself and being sensible in what I eat."

As one of the leading schoolwear brands, Trutex is passionate about the health and well-being of the next generation The Stay Healthy, Keep Fit poster competition forms part of Trutex's on-going commitment to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating and exercise.

With the level of obesity increasing at alarming levels amongst school children, Trutex has seen a marked increase in the demand for larger sizes across its full product range and it has extended its extensive range of clothing to include sizes up to 50-inch blazers and 17-inch shirt collars The competition is open to all primary school children in East Lancashire and is divided into two age groups - four to seven and the eight to 11. Children are being asked to design a poster to promote the idea Stay Healthy, Keep Fit.

A panel of judges will select the best entry in each category from each school and then a gallery of these will appear on the Lancashire Telegraph website for people to vote on.

The poster getting the most votes in each category will win £1,000 for the winning school's funds with each winning pupil receiving an art set.

The design with the most votes overall will be printed and distributed to schools across East Lancashire.

To enter, fill in the attached coupon and sent it to the competition address with your poster.

Entries should be on plain A4, portrait style, white paper with the drawing in either pen, pencil, felt tip or crayon (please do not use glitter or any stick on items), and sent with the entry form printed in the Lancashire Telegraph every night until Friday, May 25.

A class may send all their designs using one entry form.

Please ensure the children's name and ages are on the back of their pictures which we regret cannot be returned.