Public health minister Anne Milton has revealed that the Change4Life initiative has recruited superhero television character Sportacus to help encourage children become more active.

The healthy lifestyle scheme has partnered with television programme LazyTown in order to reach out to young people aged between two- and five-years-old.

It is hoped the new partnership will encourage children to become more physically active, as well as promote healthier eating and improve their health prospects in later life.

Change4Life activity packs featuring the LazyTown characters will be sent out to the 36,000 Sure Start Children Centres this month, which include healthy recipe ideas and a wall chart.

Milton said: "Sportacus is a great role model for children and exactly what we need to get young children and their parents being healthy and being active."

LazyTown creator and star Magnus Scheving added: "I believe that the blueprint for becoming a healthy, fit adult is set at this age and it is the reason why campaigns like this are so important."

Image: shutterstock.com/Zurijeta