DURRINGTON swimming and fitness centre has introduced a raft of measures to get local children fit.

As news of alarming rates of child obesity hits the national headlines, in Durrington the council-run leisure centre is doing its best to keep youngsters healthy.

Recently, a free pool party was held for eight- to 16-year-olds and proved a resounding success, with 70 children attending.

At the party, children played games and were set many challenges.

Afterwards, they were asked which particular activities they enjoyed and what they would like to see at the swimming pool.

The centre also runs a swim-and-save scheme, where children aged eight to 16 can purchase a £3 swim ticket to allow them unlimited swimming for a week.

All swim-and-save tickets purchased between February 23 and April 18 go into a draw to win a mountain bike.

Council portfolio holder for community and housing John Cole-Morgan said: "At Durrington and our other leisure centres, we are introducing many schemes to encourage children to get fit.

"The staff at the leisure centres are doing their bit to reduce the mounting problem of obesity in the country, by getting people involved in physical activity at a young age.

"If they can see that being active can also be fun, they are more likely to want to take part and keep coming.

"I would urge all youngsters and their parents to find out what's happening at their nearest leisure centre."