YOUNGSTERS have been getting fitter and having fun at the same time at a free event in Worcester.

Kids Run Free held its first event at a new location, the King George V Playing Fields, on Saturday, April 9.

Kids Run Free is a charity which was founded in 2012, and has previously been holding running events at Cob House Fisheries, in Wichenford.

In a bid to attract more children, organisers have switched the event to the new city centre location and for the relaunch children went along with their parents and took part in various challenges, including running sprints and hurdling.

Samantha Young, one of the organisers, told the crowd that gathered: "Tell your friends about us.

"The more children that come makes it better for everyone - and is a chance to make new friends."

Mayor of Worcester, Roger Knight, was at the relaunch and also gave a speech to the crowd in which he said it was a "terrific" event, and was a brilliant way of getting children fitter.

"We have got a lot of fantastic voluntary organisations in Worcester," he said.

"Clubs like this are great - it gets children away from screens and outside.

"It is really well organised."

Mat Capel, who brought his daughter Charlotte along to the event, said: "We have been bringing Charlotte for a while.

"It gets her out of bed in the morning, and is a brilliant way of her getting exercise."

The club will be running on the first Saturday of every month, for children of all abilities.

There will be individual races for each age category with distances ranging from 50 metres, up to five kilometres.

All events are free, and there are free gifts to collect after eight events attended.

Anyone interested is asked to visit kidsrunfree.co.uk, where they can also register.