KINVER is on a mission to become the fittest village in South Staffordshire after launching a new initiative targeting village youngsters.

Around 1,000 pupils from Edgecliff, Foley and Brindley Heath schools have been invited to take part in the Kinver School's Fitness Challenge during the spring and summer terms.

Everyone involved has been set the task of running or walking the distance of a marathon.

Those taking part have been handed a healthy living booklet and achievement record.

A prize will be presented to the first pupil who achieves the marathon milestone and medals handed out to all those taking part.

The whole idea has been hatched up by Kinver Fitness Collective, a group of like-minded people who got together just six months ago to get fit through running, walking and cycling.

Already the group has risen to the point where it now has nearly 300 Facebook members.

Kinver resident and marathon runner Sally Harris, who spearheaded the Kinver Fitness Collective project along with community police officer PC Wayne Green, said: "The Kinver Fitness Collective has really taken off and inspired adults in the village to get out and exercise.

"Now we hope to do the same for young people and achieve a goal they can really be proud of."

Jason Willets, headteacher for both Brindley Heath Junior and Foley Infant schools, said: "We believe this challenge will really capture the children's imagination - it's been the talk of the playground."

Foley Infant school will complete a number of fitness challenges organised by students from Edgecliff who will act as sports ambassadors.

They will also be encouraging fellow pupils to take part during their lunchtimes.

Edgecliff's head of PE Nina Howell added: "Sport plays a big part of school life at Edgecliff and this is a fantastic opportunity for all of the students to get involved, enabling everyone, whatever their ability to have a go and learn a great healthy lesson for life."

Estate agents Midcalf Nicholls have stepped in to sponsor the event and their spokesman Tracy Elbro said: "We've supported a lot of causes in our time, but this one has a direct impact on so many members of the community. We feel it is really beneficial and as a local resident myself, I've seen the impact the Kinver Fitness Collective has made."