YOUNG sports fans in Southampton were shown the ropes by double-record breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari.

Dee, who became the first woman to sail singlehandedly around the world in both directions visited youngsters from 14 schools and early years centre.

And Hampshire’s own boating sensation used the opportunity to back the Daily Echo’s Staying Alive campaign, an initiative launched this week urging residents to get active to tackle the ticking time-bomb of chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle and lack of exercise.

The sailing star celebrated with pupils from schools and early years centres in the area who have gained awards in a series of schemes run by Solent NHS Trust to promote healthy eating and exercise.

She presented six schools completing the first phase of the Southampton Healthy Schools Pioneer scheme and seven pre-schools and clinching Southampton Healthy Early Years (HEY) awards.

She also awarded St Mary’s CE School for attaining National Healthy Schools Status.

Speaking after the presentation at Freemantle and Shirley Community Centre, Dee, who lives in Fareham, said: “It’s really inspiring to see young children embracing healthier eating and exercise and at a time when budgets are tight. It’s great to see them growing their own fruit and vegetables.

“It’s important to start when they are young so they carry it on into adulthood.”

The Healthy Schools Pioneer features drawing up action plans to improve health and wellbeing which will be adopted for two-three years.

Schemes drawn up included walking to school, dental hygiene, encouraging parents to pack healthy lunchboxes and increasing school attendance.

HEY includes adopting physical activity, play and healthy eating into the curriculum.

Trust Senior Health Promotion Specialist Pawan Kaur Lall said: “The schools are doing a great job and if communities get involed in their endeavour they can thrive.”

Praising the Daily Echo’s campaign, she added: “It’s a great initiative and anything that encourages people to get active and inspires them to make a difference is a good thing.”

Those awarded were Woolston Infants, Vermont School, Fairisle Infants, Bitterne CE Junior, St Mark’s CE Primary, Oasis Academy Lords Hill, Paint Pots Pre-School, Hardmoor Early Years Centre, Millbrook Redbridge and Maytree Children’s Centre, Lordshill, Shirley Warren and Coxford Chidlren;s Centre, North Shirley Children’s Centre, Bitterne and Bitterne Park Children’s Centre and Townhill Park and Harefield Children’s Centre.