DARLINGTON MP Jenny Chapman has enjoyed activities in the great outdoors with nursery children as part of a national healthy lifestyle campaign.

The Shadow Childcare Minister joined children at the Secret Garden Day Nursery in Darlington to take part in Healthy Body Happy Me, a week-long fun activity campaign run by National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA).

Thursday’s campaign activities were are all about playing and exploring outside. Nurseries encouraged children to build dens, plant seeds and make weather stations.

Other activities include baking healthy recipes, dancing, exploring the outdoors and caring for bodies by brushing teeth and thinking about germs.

NDNA’s chief executive Purnima Tanuku OBE, said: “We are delighted that Jenny Chapman, the Shadow Childcare Minister, is supporting Healthy Body Happy Me.

“We have had a fantastic response to the campaign, with many nurseries sharing their photos with us on social media.

“All the activities they take part in have important learning messages about staying healthy and happy which we hope they will keep with them for life.

Ms Chapman said: “It is wonderful to visit the Secret Garden Nursery in Darlington to help NDNA promote their cross-nursery Healthy Body Happy Me campaign.

"As Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Years Education, it is important for me to support nurseries in their endeavour to promote healthy lifestyles and well-being during a child’s critical life stage."