Southend has been found to have the smallest number of children regularly exercising in all south Essex putting them at risk of serious illnesses later in life.

Figures published by Sport England show that just 28 per cent of children in school years 1 to 11 exercise for more than 30 minutes a day both in and out of school.

It is the smallest number of children getting 30 minutes of exercise in school and out of school in the all South Essex, despite NHS guidelines stating that 60 minutes of exercise is vital.

The health service warns that when children are less active, they are more likely to be inactive as adults putting them at risk of life-threatening conditions ranging from heart disease, strokes and cancer. Exercise also reduces stress, improves mental health and has been found to lead to better academic scores.

Government guidelines recommend that children get 30 minutes of their daily physical activity in the school day and 30 minutes outside of school but the figures show 59 per cent of children are meeting this requirement when out of school but just 34 per cent are doing so in school.

Trevor Harp, who oversees health in Southend and is a representative on Active Southend, said limited exercise in schools is “not a surprise” but it is an ongoing issue that the council is aiming to address.

One of their biggest pushes has been through the ‘daily mile’, which calls on schools to commit to having pupils walk a mile each day.

Mr Harp said: “There is an increasing number of primary schools signing up to the daily mile scheme and the numbers are increasing. We are keen to get as many signed up as possible because once we establish it from an early age it feeds into adult life.”

He added news that 59 per cent of children were exercising out of school “brilliant” and something “to be applauded”.

Andrew James, the headteacher of Chase High School on Prittlewell Chase, said exercise is a top priority for the school and children are required to do four hours of physical education lessons each week and there are a range of after school clubs on offer.

He said: “Our PE staff give up hours every week after school and on weekends to help children attend local and county level competitions, so I’d be delighted to see them get noticed for their work.

“We believe sports and performance arts are powerful vehicles for helping shy youngsters become confident adults.”

Ali Oliver, chief executive of the charity Youth Sport Trust, said: “Levels of physical activity are still far too low and there is much more for us to do if we are to tackle the problems this poses for children’s physical, social and emotional wellbeing. Yoo many are growing up overweight or obese, unhappy, lost and lonely.”

He added: “We should all find it unacceptable that fewer than half of young people average 30 minutes of activity within the school day.”