One primary school in Dorset has taken its healthy eating drive a step further by banning its pupils from bringing in cakes and sweets.

St George's Church of England Primary School indicated that there was simply too much sugar doing the rounds, as many children often bring in cakes to celebrate their birthdays.

"Our parents think it's a very good idea and I have been really impressed by their views coming through and that they are not passing cakes over the school wall," commented head teacher Michael Salisbury.

He stressed that it had become tradition to bring birthday cakes into school, with parents appearing as misers if they failed to send their child off without some sort of sweet treat.

Media director for the British Soft Drinks Association Richard Laming recently highlighted that the intake of soft drinks among youngsters needs to be well controlled.