A CHILDREN'S health day will take place at Ramsey Town Hall next month.

The event, on Saturday, February 11, has been organised by the Northern Multi-Agency Team (MAT) and will feature advice on oral hygiene, healthy eating, bedtime routines and other activities.

Grainne Burns, youth officer with the Department of Education and Children and chairman of the Northern MAT, said:

"The focus of the day is around the Isle of Man Government's oral health strategy, which was released last year with statistics showing poor dental health for under-fives in particular.

"The aim is to make the findings more realistic for parents and children.

"We are trying to emphasise the importance of a bedtime routine in encouraging children to clean their teeth and want to emphasise healthy options for food and drink."

A number of well known people in the north including Jacqueline Barrow, headteacher of Scoill Ree Gorree, Emma Cleator, health visitor, and Vida Porter, youth worker, will read stories in the library, while Chris Wilson, schools catering manager with the DEC, who is in charge of primary school meals, will have information and guidance on appropriate foods and drinks for children.

Parents and children will be able to use a computer programme to look at the nutritional content of foods.

There will be fun activities for children to get involved in such as arts and crafts and face-painting.

The event takes place from 11am to 3pm, with story-telling in the library every half hour from 11.30am to 2.30pm. All are welcome.

Northern primary schools, playgroups and pre-school groups will be invited to take part in a colouring competition promoting cleaning their teeth. The prizes have been donated by local businesses.

The multi-agency team is made up of a number of professional disciplines from government and the third sector and includes health, education and church representatives, the Children's Centre and the Police.

For further information contact Gráinne Burns at the Youth Office on 686057.