OVERWEIGHT children can get fit and active for free as a Hampshire centre launches its specialist programme to tackle obesity in the county.

Youngsters who are above their ideal weight, aged seven to 13, can take part in the Mend programme at Fleming Park Leisure Centre, in Eastleigh throughout September.

It comes as the Daily Echo continues its Beat the Bulge campaign to get the county exercising and eating healthily after we revealed the huge sums that obesity is costing the city.

The funded initiative includes nutrition and exercise sessions twice a week for ten weeks and both parent and child need full involvement in the programme.

Elaine Blowers, programme manager, said: “The programme has delivered remarkable results in previous terms, with children losing inches off their waist, lowering their resting heart rate, losing weight – some up to half a stone – gaining confidence and making new friends.

“It is also a great way for parents to learn more about healthy eating, their influence on behaviour change and enables them to share issues with other parents.”

She said that with record childhood obesity rates, it is important parents make the step to help their children and if they do not tackle the issue now, it could affect their child’s health in the long-term.

The ten week course starts on September 16 and runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm until 7pm.

For more information call Fleming Park Leisure Centre on 023 8068 4800.