West Cumbrian primary schools will unite on Friday to promote active lifestyles to youngsters.

Harrington's Beckstone Primary School, Derwent Vale Primary School in Great Clifton, Workington's Northside Primary School and Westfield Primary School and Bridekirk Dovenby Primary School are among 16 schools due to be named Energy Club centres after a training session at Netherhall School in Maryport.

Sports Leaders UK was awarded £4,881 by The Quarry Hill Fund, administered by Cumbria Community Foundation, to deliver the sessions, a volunteer-backed initiative providing a lasting legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Linda Borthwick, of Allerdale School Sport Partnership, said: "Allerdale has many young people with low self-esteem, lack of aspiration and confidence.

"We want to provide them with fun, physical opportunities where they can develop skills and become more active.

"We look to motivate and engage them in all activities and by having staff and external volunteers trained as Energy Club leaders it will help sustain the programme."

Emily Burns, operations officer for Sports Leaders UK, said: "Energy Clubs allow schools to provide fun, physical activity focused around healthy eating and lifestyles and will be a great addition to school provision during lunch or after school."

Five Energy Clubs have already been set up in the area and Joanne Brooks, PE co-ordinator at Silloth Primary School, was the 6,000th Energy Club leader to be trained.