GAZETTE & HERALD: PUPILS at St Mary's School in Chippenham have got the skipping bug after raising an estimated £800 in a charity skip-a-thon.

Teacher and PE co-ordinator Diane Riley organised the event to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and educate the pupils on keeping fit.

All the pupils in key stage two, aged seven to 11, took part in the event, which took a full school day to complete. There was a total of 140 skipping.

Each class skipped in the school hall for 45 minutes without stopping, with more than one person skipping at all times.

The children were sponsored to take part in the challenge and they have been practising in the playground and during PE lessons for the past month to build up their stamina.

"They really enjoyed it. They are a lot fitter now than they were a month ago. Skipping is a really good form of exercise," said Mrs Riley.

She said parents came to watch the skipping marathon.

Alongside skipping practice the children have been learning about the importance of keeping the body healthy and how important it is to exercise.

Mrs Riley said: "The assistant teacher has been encouraging the kids to do different forms of exercise other than just football. There are many different varieties of skipping that you can do. Some of the pupils have very inventive routines."