PRIMARY school youngsters are putting their best foot forward to learn more about healthy living.

Since they were given a set of pedometers by Natural England, Years 3 and 4 at South Kilvington CE school near Thirsk have turned healthy living into child’s play - quite literally.

They have been using the pedometers to monitor each step they take during their PE as well as during playtime fun and games and worked out that roughly 2000 steps make a mile and all it takes to clock that up is 15 minutes.

To make things more interesting they were given a set of maps by Natural England, showing the route from their school to York Minster, just under 24 miles away.

Each step the children take is now recorded, converted into miles and then added to the distance travelled on the map.

Now they have set themselves personal goals, and staff are amazed by how much they are being beaten.

Teacher Jayne Shaw, Teacher of Years 3 and 4 said: "The activity is very inclusive, all children of all physical abilities are joining in and it's great for their self esteem.

"What has really impressed me is the way they have stuck to the task of walking to York Minster, they are determined to get there."

Natural England's regional health specialist Rachel Ashelford added: "This is a fantastic story and it just shows how adding a bit of fun can change physical exercise from a chore into a game.

"I’m really impressed and I think the way they are going they will have to re think their target -how about Westminster Abbey?"