A NEW club is set to be launched in Southampton in a bid to tackle the alarming rise of childhood obesity in the city.

Health chiefs have teamed up with the city council to run a healthy living course designed to encourage youngsters to lose weight.

The idea behind the course is to tackle the problem of weight loss as a family rather than single out children who are overweight.

Those behind the scheme called Motiv814 are now calling on residents to take up the offer of help to improve the health of their children.

It comes after the Daily Echo revealed how one in five ten year olds in the city are clinically obese.

The course will see three 12-week weight management courses followed by three months of support. During this time advice will be given on lifestyle management, healthy eating and physical activity.

A drop-in open morning is being held on Saturday in an effort to get families in Thornhill to beat the bulge. Motiv814 is specifically aimed at children with obesity or weight issues between the ages of 8 and 14.

The open morning at Thornhill School, Byron Road, is aimed at encouraging families to sign up to the programme in an effort to halt the rise in overweight children.

On the day that runs from 10.30am to 1pm there will also be a raffle giving the opportunity to win a variety of healthy prizes, including a Nintendo Wii Fit.

Motiv814 project officer, Becca Stock, said: “The main emphasis of the programme is on fun and inclusion and helping children build their confidence and make new friends, as well as working with the children’s families to develop achievable health goals.”

The scheme is also backed by record breaking yachtswoman and former PE teacher, Dee Caffari, who is currently taking part in the Vendee Globe round the world yacht race.

Taking time out from her gruelling race, she said: “I am delighted to be associated with the Motiv814 clubs. My hope is that children in the Southampton area that want to make a positive change to their lifestyle will come along to find out more. Whilst I cannot be there, I will be popping in to see how everyone is getting on when I return from the Vendee Globe race later in the year.”

For further information on Motiv814, call 023 8091 5811 or 07950 385435 or email rstock@thornhillplusyou.co.uk.