RESIDENTS of Worcestershire can take part in a national initiative throughout the summer to help encourage children to take exercise and keep fit and healthy.

Worcester Swimming Pool, in Sansome Walk, and the Malvern Splash, in Priory Road, are taking part in a campaign to keep youngsters moving with fun family swimming sessions.

The Government’s Change4Life health programme, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and Disney have joined forces to provide interactive family swim sessions and 10 minute shake-up activities - all inspired by the new Disney·Pixar blockbuster Finding Dory.

The aim is to make exercise fun and help children get the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity they need each day.

The Finding Dory inspired swim sessions, which are co-created with the ASA and run from July 22 until September 4, will provide an hour of in-water storytelling for the whole family, teaching children key swimming skills as they are taken on a journey with Dory and friends, led by trained instructors. The sessions can be booked now by contacting the pools involved.

This year there are more interactive shake-ups than before and they can be found online by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/campaigns/ten-minute-shake-up/home - including those inspired by the new Disney·Pixar film, Finding Dory.

Campaign ambassador and former British Olympic swimmer Becky Adlington, who stars in a series of films sharing her top tips for inspiring children to get active, said: “Since I stopped competitive swimming a few years ago, I understand how tricky it can be to fit exercise into a busy routine – and also make it fun.

“As a mum it’s even harder, but I’m passionate about inspiring the future generation to get active and that’s why I’m supporting this summer’s campaign from Disney, Change4Life and the ASA.

“The summer holidays can seem really long but there are loads of great ideas to get kids up and about with new 10 minute shake-ups - and what better way to spend time together than enjoying a family swim session where you’re learning key skills.”

• A recent survey, commissioned by Disney, Change4Life and the ASA revealed that three quarters of children aged five to 11 (73 per cent) want to do more physical activity, and 56 per cent of children miss taking part in school PE lessons over the summer.

• Finding ways for their children to be active is a challenge faced by families, with 61 per cent of parents saying they struggle for ideas during the school holidays.

• The research showed that more than half of children (55 per cent) said that swimming is one of their favourite ways to keep physically active during the summer holidays. While 39per cent of five to 11 year olds also said that they would want to go swimming more often if they could go with family members.

• Physical activity helps children build social skills, boost self-confidence, improve bone and heart health and maintain a healthy weight, yet just 21 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls currently meet the national recommended level of activity of 60 minutes each day.