THREE Lancashire football clubs have teamed up to help get children to cut back on sugary drinks.

Accrington Stanley, Burnley FC and Preston North End will be working with Lancashire County Council, Healthy Stadia and Food Active on the Give Up Loving Pop (GULP) campaign, which will deliver classroom-based educational games and activities to Year Three children.

They will teach the children why it is important to look after their teeth and gums, how to read and interpret food labels on bottles or cans of drinks, and why hydrating with water is important for their education and playing sports.

Burnley FC primary and secondary schools engagement manager Gwilym Jones said: “Health and wellbeing are high on our agenda at Burnley FC in the Community and the Give Up Loving Pop programme will give us the opportunity to get into schools and to talk about issues such as poor oral health, that unfortunately, affect far too many children.

“We’re really looking forwarding to delivering GULP over the spring and summer months and giving children the knowledge and skills to identify which of their favourite drinks have the most sugar, and hopefully encouraging them to switch to water and milk.”

Studies show that in the North West more than one in three children (30.4 per cent) has obvious dental decay at age five, compared to the England average of 23.4 per cent.

However, in the areas where Give Up Loving Pop will be delivered, children have considerably higher rates of dental decay at age 5, with rates of 39.6 per cent in Hyndburn, 40.1 per cent in Burnley and 40.7 per cent in Preston.

Food Active project manager Beth Bradshaw said: “Despite some sugary drinks manufacturers re-formulating their products following the introduction of the sugar tax, many traditional fizzy drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks still contain huge amounts of sugar, up to 16 cubes of sugar for some, which can be extremely detrimental to children’s health.

“Even diet and zero drinks, which have previously been seen as a step in the right direction, contain lots of acid which can soften tooth enamel.

"Part of the reason we are still seeing huge numbers of children in the North West under five years of age being admitted to hospital for tooth extractions is the acid in high-sugar drinks.”

In response, the campaign will challenge children and their families to give up sugary drinks for 21 days.

Children will receive a reusable water bottle and a postcard containing information on high-sugar drinks to take home to their parents.

European Healthy Stadia Network project manager Michael Viggars said: “It is fantastic to see professional football clubs and their club community organisations use the power of their badge to help children and young people to cut back on sugary drinks.

“All too often, sport is used to promote unhealthy products, including high-sugar drinks, to children and young people.

"We hope this project will not only help the next generation to make healthier choices but also encourage the football family to recognise their role in promoting and endorsing soft drinks and ultimately reconsider football’s relationship with soft drink companies.”

To find out more, go to: http://www.giveuplovingpop.org.uk/.