Twenty children from a Southall primary school have been taking part in a course designed to help them think about health and fitness.

The Active at School programme gave the 10-11 year-olds from Beaconsfield Primary the chance to try out new sports like dodgeball, as well as more traditional games like basketball and cricket, in a bid to encourage them to do exercise.

They had been taking part in the programme, organised by the Fitness Industry Association, at Southall Sports Centre, although yesterday's finale was held at their school after a fire forced the council to close the centre.

The youngsters were cheered on yesterday by Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma, and Mayor of Ealing Councillor Ian Green, who came down to see how the scheme was benefiting the kids.

Andrew Rogers, Centre Manager Southall Sports Centre: “The Active at School programme is extremely successful at our centre as it has allowed our local primary school children to access quality facilities and sports coaching on a regular basis.”

The programme, which is open to children aged 10-15 is funded by Sport England, and is aimed at reducing the levels of obesity in youngsters.