BARNSLEY Council’s annual director of public health report has taken the form of an illustrated book.

Titled ‘Billy Our Barnsley Baby’, the book showcases how the council are prioritising the first 1,001 days of a child’s life and how everyone has a part to play in helping children lead happy, healthy, fulfilling lives.

The report focuses on a significant time in a child’s early development, from conception to age two.

This period is the perfect time to lay the foundations for lifelong health,/ wellbeing/ and success./

It’s/ also a priority area in the Healthy Life Expectancy Strategy, setting out how the council build on/ what’s/ already working locally to continue improving health outcomes.

A copy of the book will be offered to all families of newborn Barnsley babies during their new birth visit with a health visitor over the next 12 months.

Anna Hartley, Barnsley’s director of public health, said: “We know it is really important to play our part to help children thrive in their first 1,001 days of life.

“We are working with our partners to make this a priority.

“By focusing on this vital period, we can help children and families be healthier, happier, and have better chances in life.

“We want every child to grow up well and have the best start in life, now and in the future.”