BAD behaviour and poor pupil performance has been slashed at a school in Bolton - and teachers believe the change is down to health supplement, Omega-3.

Pupils at Lever Park Special School in Horwich started taking the oil 18 months ago.

It is given every day, either added to a smoothie fruit drink or straight from the spoon.

And staff say they are astounded by the effect it has had on the children.

Science teacher Jane Roscoe said: "When we first started this trial, we really did not expect to see any difference among the children.

"But the results have exceeded all our expectations. There has been a big difference in the pupils' behaviour and concentration."

An analysis of the trial showed that serious incidents in school have fallen from up to 20 a month to four. In the first six months serious incidents fell to 41 compared with 170 in the six months previous.

Examination results have soared, with 86 per cent of literacy scores improving on average by 17 per cent. Attendance has improved by 10 per cent.

The trial began 18 months ago when the school became the first in Greater Manchester to use such a supplement. It finished at the end of last year. The findings were released this week.

Mrs Roscoe said: "Our Standard Assessment Test scores increased and we are hoping our GCSE results will also be up. This study is cited in research documents."

Initially, just a cross-section of pupils took part in the trial, but so great was the impact on them that every child is now offered the supplement and take-up is almost 100 per cent.

The oil, derived from flax-seed, is provided free of charge by Leedsbased Savant Health.

School counsellor Carol Darbyshire said: "Because the children are a lot calmer, they are more receptive to learning because their concentration levels are improved. We are so fortunate that the company is providing the oil for free."

Kieran Swanton, aged 14, said: "Before I started taking the supplement I was very naughty, I used to be sent home and did not settle. But now I feel a lot calmer and find it easier to concentrate."

Maverick Amos, aged 14, added: "I was very naughty before I started taking the supplement, but now I feel I am doing better at my studies and enjoy the lessons and get on better with other people."

Professor Amanda Kirby from the University of Wales, Newport, is the medical director of Dyscovery Centre, a research centre for the university's school of education.

She is leading the first comprehensive study of the impact Omega-3 has on children.

Commenting on the results at Lever Park School, she said: "The results are encouraging. There has been anecdotal evidence that fatty acids improve concentration and children are calmer. But more research needs to be done.

"There does seem to be a correlation between inattentiveness and low levels of fatty acids. I am very interested in the links between nutrition, learning and behaviour."