SMILING tots have been brushing up on how to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Youngsters at Barnabees Nursery, Kidderminster, have been learning how to use a toothbrush and smile like a crocodile.

Nursery care staff have been using a hand puppet called Smiley the Crocodile to demonstrate the brushing method and not to miss out those hard-to-reach molars.

Posters have been pinned up around the nursery, in Wolverley Road, and stickers given out to the boys and girls proudly stating I can brush like a crocodile.' The puppet, posters, stickers and other teaching resources back up the serious message to keep children's teeth and gums healthy - part of the Stop The Rot programme.

The National Day Nurseries Association - NDNA - which runs the scheme, sent the nursery the learning pack which also contains a sing along CD reinforcing the brushing message.

Elain Bagnall, nursery co-owner, said: "There are children who have never been to the dentist so that's one of the reasons we're to continue with it."