Residents in Cumbria have been encouraged to get fitter following the launch of a new governmental strategy.

'Get Active: A strategy for the future of sport and physical activity' was published August 30 and sets out plans to improve national health and fitness levels.

Active Cumbria, the Active Partnership for Cumbria provided by Cumberland Council, welcomed the government's new policy and promised to follow its example in bettering the county's health.

Lorrained Smyth, Chair of Active Cumbria Advisory Board, said: "This very much aligns with the place based working which Active Cumbria have focused on over the last few years.

"We have worked to strengthen the fabric of our communities across all ages and backgrounds so that more people have access to opportunities to be more active."

The ambitious targets include having over 2.5 million more active adults and over 1 million more active children in the UK by 2030.

Mrs Smyth added: "We are looking forward to continuing the work collaboratively with our partners to improve the health and wellbeing of the people in Cumbria."

The purpose of the policy is to encourage adults to carry out at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week.

Children are advised to carry out at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Ceo of Active Partnerships National Team, Andy Taylor, commended the policy for its focus on country-wide partnerships working in tandem to better serve the areas they're based in.

He said: "We welcome the importance placed on this in the strategy along with the recognition of the value sport and physical activity has in helping transform people's lives.

"We partner with local and national stakeholders to affect widespread social chaneg, whether it's bringing communities closer together, driving greater inclusion, or improving economic productivity."

According to statistics from the Sport England Active Lives survey, 25% of adults in Cumbria are deemed to be 'inactive', with over 105,000 doing less than 30 minutes of activity across a week.

Figures also suggested that 51% of children are not meeting the guidelines, seeing 30% doing less than 30 minutes a day.