A SPORTS scheme aimed at encouraging activity among ten-year-olds is to benefit the children of Whiteley.

The local sports centre, The Meadowside Centre, has joined forces with children's sports specialists Team Elite to host a government-supported programme designed to get youngsters fit.

The Adopt a School campaign encourages them to participate in regular physical activity and lead an active lifestyle.

Adopt a School is a national campaign being run by the Fitness Industry Association and sponsored by Norwich Union to link leisure centres and health clubs to local primary schools.

The scheme will see the children participating in a range of activities, such as step aerobics, hockey, football, table tennis and team games.

It has come about because government studies showed the move from primary to secondary school is the point at which children become less active, so the project will be concentrating on ten-year-old Key Stage 2 pupils.

The Meadowside Centre, which is run by Winchester City Council, is providing the facilities free, while Team Elite is supplying instructors at no charge.

The programme, which started on March 14, will run every Monday for five weeks, excluding the Easter holidays.

For further information contact Team Elite on 0845 658 9800 or the Meadowside Centre on 01489 577464.