Pupils at Therfield First School were visited by North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald as part of a campaign encouraging children to be more active.

The visit took place during National School Sports Week, which is led by charity The Youth Sports Trust and ran from June 19 to 25.

This year the charity is raising awareness of the chief medical officer's recommendation that children are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, with the 'play for fun, play for 60' campaign.

Sir Oliver met with pupils to hear them talk about the benefits they get from physical activity, and what exercise they find fun.

He commented: "It was fantastic to visit Therfield First School to support National School Sports Week and to see children being active and having fun.

"Young people face so many challenges to their physical and mental health, and providing opportunities to be active is a great way to empower them to live happier and healthier lives.

"Too few people are aware of the recommendation that children should be active for at least 60 minutes each day.

"That’s why I’m proud to take the pledge to play to encourage more young people to make physically activity a key part of daily life."

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The 'play for fun, play for 60' campaign encourages children to be active within school for 30 minutes a day, and then outside of school for at least another 30 minutes.

Alison Oliver MBE, chief executive of the Youth Sports Trust, said: "While 86 per cent of parents believe that sport and play are important parts of every young person’s education and development, only 42 per cent are aware that children should be active for 60 minutes a day on average over the course of a week.

"We are really grateful to Sir Oliver Heald MP for supporting National School Sports Week and encouraging busy schools and families to find fun ways to be active together.

"This is a key part of the urgent action we need to support more young people, schools and families to play for fun, and play for 60."