WARTIME rationing made bananas and chocolate rare commodities, but 60 years ago youngsters had healthier diets and few were obese.

Now primary pupils in Torfaen are finding out how they can improve their modern day diets with a lesson from the past.

Hundreds of pupils have taken part in a social history project to learn about food and rationing during the Second World War.

The initiative teaches pupils how people had to rely on home-grown vegetables and locally-killed animals.

Out of the classroom pupils take part in a trip to Blaenavon museum where they can dress up in wartime clothes and eat a typical wartime menu with the choice of jam, spam or paste sandwiches, or sausage, mash and swede.

Last year a stark report highlighted serious health problems in Torfaen, revealing that 57% of the population were obese.

The project is part of a huge council push towards a healthy living agenda for all.

Abersychan councillor Ken Clark, himself a child during the war, is closely involved with the project, which is run by the Abersychan and Garndiffaith Local History Group and Blaenavon Community Museum.

Councillor Clark said: "Rationing wasn't popular but it meant people ate far more healthily than they do today.

"We had no choice but to eat healthily. I explained to the pupils that we ate plain, wholesome, locally-grown food.

"There were no fussy eaters back then. We were told 'Eat it, there's a war on'."

Councillor Clark said the project is a huge success.

"It brings history alive for the children and at the same time backs up the information they are currently being given about healthy lifestyles."

The Torfaen Healthy Living Initiative supports the initiative, providing prizes for a healthy eating quiz.

Healthy Living co-ordinator Nicola Bowen said: "It's a pleasure to support such an exciting project that uses innovative ways to convey the healthy eating message to school children."