CHILDREN who carry heavy bags to school or sit in front of a computer for hours on end are being warned they are risking serious injury.

Bolton Council, along with the British Chiropractic Association, are visiting schools to talk to children about protecting their backs.

Research carried out by both organisations has revealed that the average 11-year-old spends a day and a half watching televison and playing computer games every week.

The study revealed that boys were by far the worst offenders, spending 21 hours 40 minutes every week on a PC or games console. Girls preferred television, spending an average of 21 hours a week in front of the screen.

It said just 44 per cent of children opted to carry a rucksack with their choices of bags based on fashion.

Of the children interviewed, only 13 per cent walk to school, most travel by bus or combine this with a short walk.

The BCA says these habits are the start of long-term back pain and have started to target Bolton schools to prevent back problems.

Chiropractor Tim Hutchful said: "The survey illustrates the sedentary lifestyle that children in the UK are leading. Children are especially vulnerable as their bones are 'soft' and still developing. Even something as simple as a child using two straps on his rucksack, rather than one, can make all the difference between a healthy back and dangerously bad posture."

Cllr Carole Swarbrick, Bolton Council Executive Member for Education and Integrated Children's Services, said: "Thousands of young people are moving up to high school at present and the survey highlights areas of real concern. I would urge parents to heed the advice given in the leaflets and videos, which have been distributed. Getting things right now can stop problems later."

A video has been produced for schools to demonstrate the problems that can be caused by their bad habits.

The Watch Your Back leaflet is available from www.backcare.org.uk.