PUPILS at Llantarnam Community Primary School have been showing off their dazzling white smiles after winning a Designed to Smile silver award.

Children have just completed their second year of the Welsh Government initiative and bagged themselves a silver award, having won bronze last year.

Head teacher Anne Webster-Blythe said the school would be going for gold next year.

She said: “We got involved with the initiative as Torfaen has a high percentage of people with tooth decay.

“It’s now become part of our daily routine with the children brushing their teeth twice a day at school.

“All staff have been trained to ensure it’s hygienic and currently all 113 children in the foundation phase are taking part in the initiative.

“Each child has their own toothbrush, which is kept in a special container, and the teeth brushing sessions are timed for two minutes.

“It’s been educational for children and parents too.”