THRILLED youngsters at Wareham Children’s Centre jumped at the chance to meet TV hero Sportacus.

The popular character from children’s television show LazyTown was in Purbeck as part of a government healthy living initiative.

LazyTown has joined the Change4Life initiative, launched to encourage youngsters, aged between two and five, to get active.

A Change4Life spokesperson said: “Research shows that good behaviours established in early childhood can have positive, lasting effects.

“Eating well and being active can help prevent children developing serious illnesses later in life and physical activity guidelines show that once a child can walk they should be physically active for at least 180 minutes a day.”

The spokesperson said because Sportacus was an established role model, the character’s involvement would encourage youngsters to keep active.

The Wareham centre in one of just 10 children’s centres across the UK selected for a Sportacus visit.