By Maria Giovanna Zaccaro

A DRIVE to get the Southampton public more active has already been kick-started.

As reported yesterday a series of free sports and activity sessions are being staged in the city after the Southampton won funding to stage ParkLives events.

Those sessions have now begun and the Daily Echo joined keep fit enthusiasts in Southampton yesterday who were trying out an outdoor boxercise class in the backdrop of East Park.

Bathed in Spring sunshine, the class members were put through their paces as they raised their pulses with boxing moves.

Zac Leathem, 22, from Southampton, said: “It’s a great activity. I knew it through friends as I love boxing but when you can do it outside it's even better.”

It is the first time the £20m Coca Cola-backed ParkLives project has come to the city and is aimed at encouraging residents to get more active.

A recent report into obesity levels put Southampton in the top ten places for the problem in the country, based on admissions to hospitals.

Hannah Cockle, 26, Parklives Project Coordinator, said: “We found out there are many people inactive in Southampton and we decided to motivate them.”

“I think obesity in town is due to lack of opportunities and the one we offer it is a perfect opportunity for everyone because it’s free, there is no entry level required and everyone can come to join us.”

This is the first year the program has been run in Southampton and they had already a great response.

“This week has been fantastic. We have had lots of families, mums with their babies, but also teenagers and older people taking part”, Miss Cockle said.

“People follow us on Facebook and our website and the number of those attending the classes is increasing.”

The classes are run everywhere in Southampton and for details visit https://www.parklives.com/about and on the ParkLives Facebook page.

The national initiative works with local authorities, offering free training, sport and keep fit sessions led by qualified trainers.

The program will run for the whole summer with a variety of activities including pilates, family fun, orienteering, cricket and football.

“It is a great way to practise sport but also to meet new friends”, Miss Cockle said.