AN ISLAND school has become the first in Scotland to ban children from eating sweets and drinking fizzy drinks- and its 18 pupils are in favour of the move.

Kilmuir primary on Skye has imposed the ban in a bid to reduce the damage to the pupils' teeth. Fruit and juices are being provided instead.

It has been found that 65% of five-year-olds in the Highlands have tooth decay and the area is in 195th place in a national league of 208.

The idea came from head teacher Helen Hunter and the visiting community dentist Dr Graham Smith and has the backing of the Highland Communities NHS Trust - and the parents.

Mrs Hunter said: ''I have seen this problem over the years at first hand, with youngsters having five or six teeth pulled out the first time they see a dentist.

''We are trying to encourage no snacking on sugary treats between meals and to leave the sweets until after tea. Our tuck shop has always tried not to stock sweets but often the youngsters would bring them to school. Now they have promised not to bring sweets.''

As well as fruit and juices, the tuck shop stocks sugar free items like nut bars, crisps, and dried fruit. ''One pupil said the shop was better than it had ever been,'' said Mrs Hunter.

Another Skye school, Portree primary, has already joined the healthy teeth campaign by offering fruit at playtime.

Now Mrs Hunter would like to see the sugary pudding supplied for school meals replaced with fruit.

Dr Smith, 36, said the idea came aftera mother in another part of Skye told him children were not allowed to bring sweets to school where she came from in England.

Pupil Nicola McQueen, 9, said: ''I am enjoying trying the different fruit and bars at the tuck shop and do not miss having sweets.

''It is better not having sweets during the day than having to have fillings.''

Mrs Dinah Rankine, whose daughter Eilidh, 6, attends Kilmuir's Gaelic medium school, said: ''This will help them realise there are healthier alternatives.''