Ref. 30961-41GULPING down spoonfuls of fish oils may not be the most pleasant way to start the school day but children are volunteering in the name of science.

Abbey Meads Primary School is taking part in study to determine whether a daily dose of Omega 3 fish oil improves children's behaviour and brainpower.

Some 25 pupils, aged from six to 11, have just embarked on a six-week course of a concentrated fish oil syrup.

Kate Griffiths, 11, said she was looking forward to seeing if it had any effect.

The Year Six pupil said: "The syrup didn't taste exactly as I thought it would. I'm quite excited about finding out what will happen.

"Our teacher read out a long letter explaining what we would have to do. It's a good idea. My dad thinks it's a good idea but my mum didn't."

Her friends Stephen Sadler and Daniel Johnstone had also taken the spoonful of fish oil, which has been given an orange flavour to make it more palatable.

Stephen, 10, said: "It wasn't excellent but it tasted okay because I like oranges.

"My mum gave me some before I went to school. She doesn't think I need it though because she says I'm bright already."

Daniel, 10, said: "The taste is quite a bit stronger than normal oranges. If it does make you better I hope it will improve my literacy."

The syrup made by Haliborange contains docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, an essential fatty acid naturally found in fish oil.

Current research reveals that Omega 3 fatty acid deficiencies may be a factor causing learning difficulties.

DHA is an essential building block and necessary for children's brain development.

The body doesn't manufacture these fatty acids so they have to be consumed.

But, as children currently eat 50 per cent less fish than they did during the Second World War, it is thought that most youngsters are deficient in Omega 3.

Deputy headteacher Michaela Cunningham said: "The children are of an age where they have a greater awareness of what they read in the media.

"Recently there's been so much about unhealthy and obese children, the pupils here are keen to show there are healthy children too."

After six weeks the results will be assessed by psychologists at the Cardiff-based Dyscovery Centre, which specialises in children's behavioural problems such as dyspraxia and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder.

Alex Emery