A project teaching children how to live healthily is set to fail because it receives no funding from NHS or education managers.

The Government expects 175 county schools to adopt the Healthy Schools Scheme by 2006, making subjects like healthy food, exercise, environmental issues, sex and relationships, and emotional wellbeing part of their pupils' curriculum.

But co-ordinator Julie Garner said cash shortages have made it difficult to organise the project and help schools join, and she needs two and a half times more funding to make it successful.

She said: "I think it's probably right that we won't meet the target.

"Neither health, nor education add anything to the pot, even though it's written into the action plans for all the NHS Primary Care Trusts, and the Education Development Plan."

Both primary and secondary schools are being encouraged to join the Healthy Schools Scheme, which makes health and wellbeing integral parts of daily life in the classroom.

Projects include encouraging children to keep bottles of water on their desks, replacing chocolate and crisps with health snacks, and tidying up the playground.

Ms Garner is the only person in the county whose work is dedicated to the Healthy Schools Scheme, unlike in other counties.

Although she receives £56,000 from the Government's Standards Fund, she said she needed at least £140,000.

She said: "At the moment we can't fund projects in schools, especially in rural or deprived areas, and I don't have time to look for extra sponsorship."

No-one from the county council's education department was available to comment.