CHILDREN in Risca learnt the importance of being active with a special visit from a professional footballer.

Pupils from Cwmfelinfach Primary School took part in a sports day that aimed to raise money for sporting equipment.

Children collected money from family and friends and took part in the day, with a football lesson from professional footballer and ex-Cardiff City player Kurt Nogan.

Youngsters took it in turns to kick balls into a special goalpost which measured the speed of the kick. Deputy headmaster Tom Maloney said they practised for the big day.

He said: "The children have been practising for this because they really want to get their speed up.

"We hope to raise between £500 and £1,000 for the school's sporting equipment, but the other aim of the day is to highlight the importance of sport and fitness.

"One of the things we are doing as a school is promoting health and fitness and we are trying to raise funds to build more play equipment in the school.

"Hopefully today will be a starting-point for lots more activities in the schoolyard."

The school wants to buy things like climbing equipment to distract the children from the TV and computer games.

Mr Maloney said: "We are very conscious of how important health and fitness are for children and we really want to improve their enjoyment of them."