A new weekly run to help youngsters become more fit and active looks set to get off its marks after community leaders gave their support.

Parkrun organisers approached Kesgrave Town Council on Monday evening to promote plans for a new junior event.

Linda Young, who has been involved in other parkrun events in the region, said it had “so many benefits”.

“It’s all about inspiring the next generation to keep healthy, get them passionate about sport and involved with something that’s fun, not a chore,” she added.

“By getting to them early it gives them a platform into other sports as they get older. It also introduces them to a new community and friendships that they would not normally make.”

The event would be for children aged from four to 14, and held over a shorter 2km course, rather than the 5km adult event.

It would take place at 9am on Sundays in Millennium Field, where the adult event is held on Saturdays.

Neil Catley, another parkrun enthusiast assured councillors that “parking won’t be a problem” and suggested the number of entrants to begin with would be relatively small.

Organisers said the events would be led by volunteers with no overhead costs once up and running.

They will be seeking use of the associated community hall at Millennium Fields, but its offer was “not a deal-breaker”.

“We just need a field for these children to run around in,” Mr Catley said.

Councillors voted in favour of supporting the project, though final approval will require the landowner’s permission.

Council chairman Neal Beecroft-Smith said: “Personally, I think it’s a fantastic idea. You’ve done extremely well to get this event going.”