CHILDREN sprang into action for charity when they held a sponsored skip in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Youngsters at Fairfield Primary School, in Stockton, took part in a Jump Off Challenge to raise money for heart research, education and patient care.

Part of the national Jump Rope for Heart initiative, the children were promoting healthy habits, while showing how keeping fit can be fun and something for all the family to enjoy.

Pupils at the school have been developing their skipping skills over the past few weeks to exercise their hearts and improve their co-ordination for the big skip challenge.

On Wednesday, they were arranged in groups of up to six people, with each group skipping for an hour, each person taking it in turn to skip for five sponsored minutes.

Teacher Sue Wilcox said: "The children were really excited and looking forward to the challenge, to raise money for the British Heart Foundation."