Schools to receive Government cash to keep sports halls open in holidays to fight child obesity

Schools are to receive Government money to keep sports halls and playing fields open during the holidays to fight child obesity.

The Department for Education is giving £2.4 million as part of a national drive to encourage youngsters to do 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

It comes amid growing concern about the lack of interest in exercise among young people. Obesity among 10 year-olds has reached a record high, with the percentage who are severely obese rising by more than a third in 12 years.

The figures last year showed that 4.4 per cent of children leaving primary school are severely obese, up from 3.2 per cent in 2006/7.