THE first lesson of the day at Johnson Fold Community School is easy - get a healthy start.

So, over two years ago, the school's Breakfast Club was born. And since then it has been helping young pupils get exactly the right food boost which brain cells need to help kick off the learning process.

The school serves a large council estate, which has its fair share of deprivaton, single parent families and unemployment.

Headteacher Paul Smith said: "The club was set up to provide a safe base for children who are often sent out of home early, frequently with no breakfast. Or sometimes they have dressed themselves and just grabbed something quickly to eat."

The school now provides cereals, toast and reduced sugar fruit juice at no cost to the children or parents. Any child from Reception to Year 6 can attend.

Mr Smith added: "I have several hard-working parents who give up their time voluntarily every morning to look after and prepare food for the children. Around 40 children attend each day, which is one fifth of my total school numbers. My school nurse and local health practitioner also help at Breakfast Club."

But, as the club has been running for more than two years, the toasters and other general equipment like plates and cups are starting to need replacing.

In fact, £500 would keep it going for a year but, as Mr Smith stated in his awards application, "whatever you could spare us would be wonderful!"