Exercise should be fun, Kelly Holmes says

The Adopt A School initiative targets final-year primary school pupils, providing activities like circuit training, body combat and boxercise.

The government's aim is to prevent children from giving up exercise when they reach secondary school.

Some 20,000 pupils are taking part. Ms Holmes said the scheme made sport fun.

'Enthralled'

Around 600 health clubs and leisure centres run by the Fitness Industry Association have signed up to take part, offering use of facilities and training from their staff.

Ms Holmes, who won golds in the 800 and 1,500 metres at this summer's Olympics in Athens, said: "The children involved have been so enthralled in the activities that many failed to realise they were even exercising."

The scheme was "breaking the preconceptions of what physical activity entails and showing children that it is possible to get active and have fun".

The government wants all pupils to take part in at least two hours of physical activity a week.

Lack of exercise is being blamed for rapidly increasing rates of childhood obesity.

Ms Holmes and Sports Minister Richard Caborn visited Millbank Primary School in central London to watch children taking part in a combat class.

Mr Caborn said: "It is just the sort of scheme that we need to see more of - the private and public sector working hand-in-hand with schools to get children fit and healthy. "We want to see all young people getting at least two hours' PE or sport a week. But it has to be interesting and fun activity too."

Nigel Wallace, Executive Director of the FIA said: "This scheme will have a strong impact on the children involved and should help them change their lives for the better."

Adopt A School is sponsored by Norwich Union and funded by the Department for Culture Media and Sport.