STAFF and children at Leapfrog Day Nursery turned their backs on aches and pains during BackCare Week.

They were given advice on how to care for their backs and raised money for the charity Childline at two sessions organised to mark the event.

A qualified physiotherapist visited the nursery at Highdown Way in Blunsdon to demonstrate how to lift properly and teach exercises for strengthening the spine.

And parents were invited to buy a bone on a model skeleton made by the children.

Nursery health and safety co-ordinator Amanda Garraway said: "In the UK, 2.5 million people suffer from back pain everyday so it is important we teach children good habits from an early age.

"Good back care knowledge is also vital for staff as their jobs involve constant lifting and bending."

The Swindon nursery opened in July and has more than 50 children on its books.

Around 30 youngsters took part in the sessions and everything they learned from the week was tested in fun quizzes.

"The sessions were very successful," said Michelle Fernandez, the nursery's manager.

"The children thoroughly enjoyed doing their exercises which were made fun by the physiotherapist and their parents have been into the spirit of things too, buying the bones.

"The staff took part in quizzes too so everyone was involved. We wanted that to happen because back care is important to everybody and everybody needs to make sure they have healthy posture."