A pioneering scheme which has helped 5,000 children in the district avoid back pain is to restart in the new school year.

The Airedale Backcare for Children (ABC) Programme aims to teach school pupils good posture and has secured Government funding to run for another year.

And the scheme, which is the only one of its type in the country, could go nationwide after the team behind it organised courses in the south to show health professionals the work carried out in Bradford.

Research shows half of all 14-year-olds suffer back pain, but the high risk group is 11 to 12-year-olds.

Physiotherapist Joanne Campion will visit about 20 schools to speak to year seven pupils with her model Skelly T.

"We will teach them about good posture, correct lifting techniques and 'back friendly' habits to take into adulthood," she said.

"About 80 per cent of pupils are carrying too much equipment in their bags. Children need to remember not to overload their bags and only take to school what they need."

She urged parents to think more about their children's health when picking a bag for the new term and will stage bag design workshops as part of the programme.

"A child should only lift five per cent of its body weight. Be aware that the bigger the bag, the more tempting it is to overload," she said.

"Parents should consider buying rucksack-style bags so they can be worn comfortably with straps over both shoulders and the weight evenly distributed. This allows the spine to maintain a good, aligned posture, reducing the risk of their child developing back pain."

David Cook, of Airedale Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic in Keighley, said cash to run the scheme had come from The Children's Fund, a Government initiative to address needs, including health. He said: "There are problems with adults suffering low back pain and if they are taught early this can prevent billions of pounds lost to industry and money spent in the NHS."