Hundreds of sports equipment packs have been delivered to youngsters across the borough.

Children aged between five and seven received them in time for the summer holidays to help keep them active.

The project, organised by the Dartford School Games Partnership, was funded by the local authority and Kent Sport.

Included in the packs are balls, bean bags, juggling scarves, target boards, a skipping rope and a frisbee.

Pupils from five primary schools in the borough – Brent, Dartford Bridge, Stone St Mary's, Temple Hill and Westgate – were chosen to receive the equipment.

Jon Rye, Dartford School Games organiser, said: "For some children, we know the lockdown period has been a chance to go on family walks, explore the surrounding areas and participate in more physical activity at home than normal.

"For others, it has been difficult to achieve the 60 minutes recommended amount of physical activity each day. I am grateful to the council and Kent Sport for this project funding which will support over 110 children."

"Providing these activity packs will hopefully give children the encouragement to play and stay active over the summer."

Council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite said: "It’s a joy to be involved in funding this project.

"It has been a tough and sometimes unsettling year for children and as a community we have not been able to provide some of the usual opportunities to get out and about, take part in events, play sports and keep healthy.

"Providing these activity packs will hopefully give children the encouragement to play and stay active over the summer.

"You really can’t put a price on fun, activity and health for Dartford’s youngest residents and we’re absolutely delighted to support the initiative."

The government announced this week a new package of measures and a Better Health campaign to help people lose weight.

A raft of measures have been revealed as part of the government’s new obesity strategy to get the nation fit and healthy, protect themselves against Covid-19 and protect the NHS.

Obesity is one of the biggest health crises the country faces. Almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity – and one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese, with obesity-related illnesses costing the NHS £6 billion a year.

Living with excess weight puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19, with risk growing substantially as body mass index (BMI) increases. Nearly 8% of critically ill patients with Covid-19 in intensive care units have been morbidly obese, compared with 2.9% of the general population.

As the government continues to respond to this unprecedented global pandemic, ministers have set out a comprehensive package of measures to help people take control of their own future by losing weight, getting active and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Rather than focussing primarily on childhood obesity, the strategy represents a new focus on empowering adults to lose weight as well.

"We know obesity increases the risk of serious illness and death from coronavirus..."

The measures include: A ban on TV and online adverts for food high in fat, sugar and salt before 9pm; an end of deals like "buy one get one free" on unhealthy food high in salt, sugar and fat; calories to be displayed on menus to help people make healthier choices when eating out – while alcoholic drinks could soon have to list hidden "liquid calories" and expanding NHS services – weight management services.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "Everyone knows how hard losing weight can be so we are taking bold action to help everyone who needs it. When you’re shopping for your family or out with friends, it’s only fair that you are given the right information about the food you’re eating to help people to make good decisions.

"We know obesity increases the risk of serious illness and death from coronavirus – so it’s vital we take action on obesity to protect the NHS and improve our nation’s health."

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