New research published to mark the launch of the Tata Kids of Steel triathlon initiative has found that nearly four-fifths of UK children spend their free time watching television.

A survey of 1,500 young people aged between six and 15 - commissioned by Tata Steel in partnership with British Triathlon - revealed only a third played sport in their leisure time.

The study also found that 56 per cent surfed the internet; 45 per cent used social networks; and 43 per cent played video games, rather than participating in physical activity.

It was also revealed that 15 per cent of children questioned admitted being unable to swim, while one in ten of young people said they could not ride a bicycle.

It comes as Tata Steel has pledged to provide more than 50,000 young people aged between eight and 13 with the opportunity to take part in triathlon.

Since its launch in 2007, Tata Kids of Steel has enabled nearly 25,000 to participate in free and fully-equipped mini-triathlons. This summer will see the initiative visit 18 UK locations.

Karl Köhler, chief executive officer of Tata Steel in Europe, said: "This research has highlighted a number of important issues which we hope Tata Kids of Steel will help to address."

British Triathlon chief executive officer Zara Hyde Peters said: "With the Olympics just around the corner, there's no better time to be inspiring youth participation in our sport."

Meanwhile, Fit For Sport founder and CEO Dean Horridge said that the findings of the research did not come as a surprise.

Horridge said: "I strongly believe that the current fitness advice has confused the nation to think that living a healthy lifestyle is complicated.

"I urge families to go back to basics and adopt a simple, achievable and sustainable approach to a healthy lifestyle."

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