GETTING children to eat healthy food can be a battle.

How many children do you know who will only eat vegetables under duress?

But most youngsters like cartoon characters and the majority of kids under the age of 10 have been bowled over by the Pokemon craze, which has now extended well beyond the original card packs.

So for faddy eaters everywhere, and their long-suffering parents, there are now vitamins in the shape of Pokemon characters.

They're the latest Pokemon offering, designed to encourage youngsters to get the nutrients they need.

They come in four colours and shapes, embossed with those favourite characters of Pikachu, Charmander, Gengar and Poliwhirl and four kid-friendly flavours: bubblegum, orange, grape and mixed berry.

But will children be tempted by the vitamins?

BEN reporter Gayle McBain and photographer Marc Berry went along to Bolton Parish C of E Primary School in Kestor Street to find out what a group of year three pupils think about the vitamins. THE children have been learning about healthy eating in their science lessons as part of the National Curriculum.

So they're pretty clued up about the benefits of eating healthy food.

Steffen Cubbins, aged seven, says he takes regular vitamins. "I take orange ones every day, after my bath in the morning."

After carefully studying the ingredients of the Pokemon vitamins, Steffen said he would be tempted to take them "because they've got Pokemon characters on them".

Steffen says he eats healthy food. "I eat all vegetables, like sprouts and carrots. I like all fruit, except melon. I really like mango."

Steffen has "two cups of tea with milk in it when it's really cold and one cup if it's not really cold". Classmate Lauren Kirkman, also seven, knows that "milk is good for you". Lauren has taken vitamins in the past and she says she would like to try the Pokemon vitamins. She adds: "I'd like to try them because they look like they're really nice flavours."

Mala Solanki, eight, says he knows you shouldn't eat sugar and that you should eat "fresh fruit and vegetables to keep healthy".

He says he would like to try the Pokemon vitamins because "they've got the characters on them".

Alexandra Ward, seven, says "Coke is bad for you, but I like it" and says she likes the look of the vitamins too.

Vegetarian Theo Hornsby-Walsh, seven, says kiwi fruit is very healthy and he likes to drink milk.

He currently takes vitamins at home that are "little red ones, flat like two domes stuck together".

Theo adds: "I wouldn't just take them because they have Pokemon characters on them. I know they're good for me so I'd take vitamins even if they tasted horrible." His pal, seven-year-old Alannah Gears doesn't agree with him. She says: "I wouldn't take vitamins if they tasted nasty. But the Pokemon vitamins seem to have nice flavours so I would like to try them."

Abubakr Shafiq, seven, says he knows he shouldn't eat crisps because they aren't good for him and he likes taking vitamins.

He adds: "I like the Pokemon vitamins because they've got characters on them. I think it would be good to take them."

Jenna Morton, eight, says she doesn't like trying things that are "a bit different" so she is unsure about the Pokemon vitamins. She likes to eat healthy food though. "I like eating bananas and I have apples at my nanna's."

Head teacher Mrs Chris Jones explains that the school is keen to encourage healthy eating. Twice a week the children can buy a mid-morning snack of toast for 10p a slice.

So popular is the venture that the school has invested in an industrial toaster.

She says: "It's very popular with the children. It warms them and gives them a boost in the morning.

"We do encourage our children to bring fruit in for their break but the toast is a good alternative and the parents and children seem to like it." Mrs Jones adds, with a smile: "It's also popular with the staff."

The Pokemon vitamins are available at Boots, priced at £5.99 a pack.