Schools to get lesson in healthier lifestyle

School meals are to undergo a revolution in a bid to tackle obesity in children.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke is to announce a shakeup after figures showed Britain's youngsters are getting unhealthier and fatter.

Schools will be encouraged to help pupils get more exercise and to learn how to eat a balanced diet, while tuckshops and school vending machines will be stocked with fruit, cereal bars and bottles of water - rather than chocolate, crisps and fizzy drinks.

Mr Clarke said: "Good health and effective learning go hand in hand. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind."

The moves are part of a £5.7 million Healthy Living blueprint drawn up by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills. The blueprint will also encourage schools to use extracurricular activities, such as gardening clubs and trips to local allotments, to foster an interest in healthy food.

Ministers will also look again at the nutritional standards for school meals they introduced in 2001 to cut levels of salt, sugar and saturated fat.

Last month, Mr Clarke promised better training for school caterers and advice to headteachers on what to serve in the canteen.