BURNLEY Council is helping children fight the flab and get fit by running after-school activity sessions.

Its Healthy Lifestyle team has organised the sessions in response to a recent survey published in the British Medical Journal which revealed that 10 per cent of six-year-olds in the UK are obese.

The survey also showed some 15 per cent of 15-year-olds are now obese.

Between 1996 and 2001 the proportion of overweight children aged six to 15 rose by seven per cent and obese children by almost four per cent.

Furthermore, only a quarter of five to seven-year-olds and a third of 11to16-year-olds get the recommended two hours of school PE or activity every week.

Fit Kids activity sessions, for seven to 11-year-olds, gives children the chance to keep fit with activities and games including football, uni-hoc and rounders, fitness circuits, and street dance.

All children could be offered fruit at the end of the session in an attempt to help them understand the need for a varied diet and to encourage them to eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

Laura Leverentz, from the team, said: "We are trying to make physical activity fun for youngsters and encourage them to take part in physical activity outside of school. Hopefully there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

"It's all about establishing healthy habits from a young age, like walking to school and eating the right sorts of food."

The sessions will start on Wednesday, November 10, at Padiham Methodist Church, Ribble Street, between 4 and 5.30pm. The sessions will cost £1.

Any children wanting to come along to the club are asked to complete a registration form on the day, signed by a parent.

For more information contact Laura Leverentz, of Healthy Lifestyles, on 01282 477323.