Bognor health fair teaches some fun ways to keep fit

The professional entertainer taught routines to students to show them the benefits of exercise.

Groups of them spent 50 energetic minutes with him learning techniques to help them keep fit.

They included senior sports leader Matt Harris (17). "Exercise is fun," he said. "It's a good way of socialising and there's lot of different ways of keeping fit. Being a healthy person gives you a lot more opportunities."

Another break dancer was Jade Everitt (13). "JP was amazing. I dislocated an elbow last October and doing those routines has helped me strengthen it," she stated.

A keen defender with Felpham Girls FC, she added: "Doing exercise is a lot more fun than just sitting around. That's quite boring."

The break dancing was one of three physical activities the students visiting the health fair could take part in. All the college's 288 students aged 13 and 14 spent about 100 minutes visiting the day-long event held in the neighbouring Arena sports centre.

School nurse Jacquie Walker organised the occasion which reflected the college's status as a national healthy school.

She said: "I feel passionately about prevention of disease. It's far better than curing and more enjoyable.

"We want to help to raise awareness of the variety of health issues that face young people.

"We hope it will enable them to make healthy and informed choices."

The fair featured nine stands covering topics such as drinking water, healthy eating, drugs and alcohol, sexual health and smoking.

Nurses, dieticians and a drug and alcohol advisor were among the experts present.