EAGER youngsters from across Dorset have been learning how to skip like a boxer.

Professional boxing trainer John McCormack runs Skip2bfit, a new national school campaign.

Children at Bovington Primary and St James’ COE First School in Alderholt took part in the two-minute skipping challenge.

More Dorset schools are being urged to get involved in the healthy initiative.

The top skippers were given certificates by Mr McCormack during a whole school assembly.

Mr McCormack said: “It was great to see the children skipping.

“Our message is simple, we cannot all be the best but we can all improve our personal best.

“I was very impressed with the behaviour and positive attitude of the children.”

The excited children attempted to do as many skips as they could within two minutes.

After the first attempt they tried the challenge again with the hope of beating their personal best.

At the end of each session every child was given fresh blueberries and a health leaflet as part of the programme.

Mr McCormack added: “Skip2bfit believes that the best time to introduce children to healthy food is immediately after exercise.

“At skip2bfit we passionately believe that skipping is for everyone and the Skip2bfit digital counting ropes are fully adjustable for both children and adults to challenge each other.”

The schools were also given a blueberry bush at the end of the day for the school eco garden.

Headteacher Juliet Muir, of Bovington Primary School, said: “It was an exciting day, the children enjoyed both the skipping and the challenge.

“More children are now skipping on the playground during playtimes and we have accepted the skipping challenge as a form of exercise to warm up before PE lessons.”

At Bovington Primary, the top pupil completed 201 skips, while the best youngster at St James’ achieved 219 skips.

For more information visit skip2bfit.com