FLEXIBLE youngsters at an East Riding primary school are leading the way in a new fitness campaign.

Once a week, Year 6 pupils at Wilberfoss CE Primary are put through their paces to stretch and tone muscles as part of after-school yoga classes.

The school and its PE co-ordinator, Caroline Dearing, are at the forefront of a new health drive aimed at broadening the variety of physical activities on offer to young children in the county.

Miss Dearing said: “It’s trying to get more and more people involved in as many different sports as possible, particularly children who aren’t interested in sport ordinarily.

“There are only ten places at the moment and all are filled. I have tried it with children in our nursery and foundation stage as well as the Year 6 and they all love it.

“We practise stretches from cards and talk to the children about why we are doing it so they get an understanding of the importance of exercise.”

East Riding of Yorkshire Council wants to see pupils from as young as five being offered alternative lessons such as yoga, dodgeball, cheerleading and the acrobatic sport of parkour or free running.

Louise Adams, the council’s sport and play development manager, said: “The main focus of PE lessons hasn’t changed and children are still encouraged to learn team sports and non-contact sports and find out about the benefits of being active.

“These alternative lessons are to open up even more sports for pupils, either as part of their PE lesson or after-school clubs.

“We want children to enjoy PE and as such we need to move with the times and introduce new ways of getting active when they become popular.

“Pupils will still have the chance to do all the traditional games, but these will add a new element to the PE package offered by schools.”

Coun Jane Evison, of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It is important that children and young people take part and enjoy PE lessons. By introducing these new options for exercising, we can continue to offer up-to-date lessons that keep children interested and enthused.”