Whether taking the toddler swimwear to the pool for an afternoon of swimming or taking part in team sports, it is really important that youngsters get active.

Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis has urged parents to find the time to enjoy some exercise with their offspring, which can also be a great opportunity for bonding.

She gave the example of mums taking their daughters to netball matches, arguing that parents should not just be cheering kids on from the sidelines.

"[They should be] really thinking about putting on a mummies match or mummies netball simultaneously and getting everyone involved in something," Lewis remarked.

She was commenting in the wake of a survey by health club chain David Lloyd Leisure, which found 20 per cent of kids aged between six and 11 do not get support from parents when it comes to extracurricular sports.

A third of children polled said their parents are unable to drive them to venues where they can take part in sport.

Posted by Ed SaltersADNFCR-3005-ID-19809858-ADNFCR