AN AMBITIOUS programme to make children more active as part of their daily routine is to be launched on Friday in a bit to tackle the borough's obesity crisis.

Slough Borough Council has confirmed it is working with company, Active Movement, to roll out the programme which will focus on keeping children active as they progress through school years.

The idea is to evolve with children's mobility, communication, education and maturity to ensure they stay mobile and develop healthy habits.

It comes amid fears of sedentary lifestyles for the borough's children who, on average, are the most obese in the South East and among the most obese in the country.

As previously reported by The Observer in March, Public Health England revealed that Slough had a higher percentage of overweight children than any other of the 74 areas in the south east, with the town also above national averages. Almost one in every four children at reception age are obese and that rises to more than one in three for year six.

The programme is to be launched at Eden Girls' School in Bath Road.

Councillor Sabia Hussain, cabinet member for health and social care, said: “It is vital we do all we can to enable the children and young people of Slough to lead physically and emotionally healthy lives.

“Slough Borough Council is committed to the wellbeing of the community it serves and the Active Movement programme is a fantastic initiative that will help us raise fit and healthy children and young people.

“The statistics are clear. Childhood obesity and rates of inactivity are on the rise, both in Slough and across the country. Now is the time for action.”

The Active Movement programme has been tested in a variety of locations – from Worcestershire to Suffolk, but Slough is the first town to run a consolidated programme.

Head teachers and children from participating schools will meet to discuss the programme on Friday.

A council spokeswoman added: "From nursery to secondary school, the programme constantly changes to educate and inspire children to reduce their sedentary behaviour and increase low-level activity as part of their home and school life."

For further information visit www.activemovement.co.uk.