SPORTS stars visited a local primary school to launch a health initiative for pupils.

Pontllanfraith Primary School in Blackwood is the latest school to sign up to The Daily Mile, an initiative that involves pupils jogging or running for 15 minutes every day in school.

Weightlifter Michaela Breeze, sprinter Christian Malcolm and adventurer Tori James were joined by public health minister Rebecca Evans and head of physical activity at Public Health Wales, Robert Sage, at the official launch of The Daily Mile in Wales.

Founder of The Daily Mile, Elaine Wyllie, was also in attendance at the event. She established the Daily Mile Foundation in 2015 after she retired from teaching. The initiative aims to improve the physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing of children.

She said: “It’s wonderful in the middle of Wales just five years on from when we started it. These children are all enjoying their daily mile.

“This will bring better physical, emotional, social and mental health now and into their future lives.”

Head teacher Angela Taylor said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the pupils’ fitness improve, their concentration improve in class and it is doing wonders for their well-being.”

Double World Championships and Commonwealth Games medal winner Christian Malcolm took part in the run around the school grounds. He said: “I think sport is something that’s really important because it gives kids discipline, a sense of winning and losing which is important in life and learn how to adapt. I think it is massively important to get them at this young age because it sets them up well for secondary school and they are working on health and well-being.”

Minister for Social Services and Public Health Rebecca Evans AM added: “We know that there is lots of evidence to show that children who are active perform better in school and just talking to teachers you can see the differences. The younger you can get children involved in physical activity the more likely it will become a lifelong habit.”

“I would love to see this in as many schools as possible right across Wales.”

More information about The Daily Mile can be found at thedailymile.cymru.