Celebrity TV medical adviser Dr Hilary Jones joined hundreds of pupils and staff for a special assembly at an Ashton-under-Lyne primary school to mark the 16th annual World School Milk Day.

The visit to Canon Burrows Church of England Primary School was organised by Cool Milk, the UK’s largest provider of milk to schools and nursery settings. ITV’s Good Morning Britain celebrity GP Doctor Hilary led a special assembly about why drinking milk is good for you. He was joined by Councillor Ged Cooney, Tameside Council’s executive member for learning. Children learned all about the where milk comes from, how it arrives at their school and the health benefits that the natural mid-morning drink offers.

Cool Milk provided free milk to all pupils, as well as exciting interactive teaching packs, including colourful World School Milk Day bunting, lapel stickers, balloons and work books packed full of fun activities. World School Milk Day is a global event promoting the importance of drinking milk at school and involves children and schools in over 30 countries around the world.

Dr Hilary Jones is a big fan of milk and World School Milk Day. He says: “I’m passionate about reinforcing the message that we have to fuel children properly before school and during the school day to get the best out of them. Milk is a true ‘super’ food. Served mid-morning, milk boosts children’s concentration and energy levels, which are key to their performance in school.

“It’s fantastic to see so many children at Canon Burrows Primary School taking part in this year’s celebrations. It’s a really fun way of getting over some very important messages about where milk comes from, as well as why it’s so good for the development of healthy bones and teeth.”

Canon Burrows Primary School head teacher Elaine Horridge adds: “The children’s excitement and enthusiasm for World School Milk Day has been building and today’s visit by Dr Hilary has really topped it all off. Our school dance club performed a milk-themed dance for Dr Hilary, which he loved and was a fantastic success.

“It’s also great to be part of a global celebration, with children all over the world enjoying their school milk. Everyone at Canon Burrows wants to say a big thanks to Cool Milk for organising today’s activities and to Dr Hilary for being such a wonderful guest.”

Cllr Ged Cooney, Tameside Council’s executive member for learning, said: “As an authority we see it as very important that children get their mid-morning milk. It not only quenches their thirst and gives them a boost of vitamins, it sets them up for the day helping them to concentrate on lessons and play outside.”

John Sedgwick, Managing Director, Cool Milk, says: “We’ve got extraordinary numbers of children helping with this year’s celebrations here in England. And they are part of a global community that is today marking the health benefits of school milk programmes.

“It’s really important that children and their parents understand the important part milk plays in a healthy, balanced diet. At Cool Milk we are committed passionately to giving children the best possible start in life and by supporting World School Milk Day we aim to inform them about the health benefits of milk in a fun and entertaining way.”

The Department for Education new School Food Standards and School Food Plan states that low fat milk must be available for drinking at least once a day during school hours. The School Food Plan encourages children to develop healthy eating habits by ensuring they get the energy and nutrition needed for a whole school day.

World School Milk Day was established in 2000 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and is now recognised in over 30 countries. Its aim is to promote the importance of drinking milk at school to children, in a fun, memorable and educational way.