Hundreds of children were encouraged to get up and get active today as a nationwide running series came to Martlesham.

Gorseland Primary School in Deben Avenue hosted a GO Run for Fun event with 475 pupils taking part.

The charity was set up after Jim Ratcliffe, owner of chemicals company INEOS, donated £1.5million over three years to start an organisation encouraging children to run for fun.

More than 70 events have been held across the country, with the four events held in Suffolk culminating in the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon on Sunday.

Councillor Alan Murray, cabinet member for health and adult care at Suffolk County Council, said: “It’s brilliant to have more than 475 children participating today in GO Run For Fun. These fun events are a great way for kids to get active and have fun with their mates.

“We really must make sure that kids are given the opportunity to get active from an early age, and GO Run For Fun provides the chance to do just that. If they enjoy it you never know where it might end up, we might find Britain’s best talent for the future.

“We are delighted to support the GO Run For Fun campaign. It is great to have local schools and national campaigns working together to encourage our younger generations to start running and keep running , which all make a positive contribution to our ambition to become the most active county in England.”