A KARATE champion is visiting schools throughout the area to encourage students to take more exercise and keep fit and healthy.

Five-times national karate champion, Rob Loft, has taken on the role of Freddy Fit, a cartoon character who was created to promote a healthy lifestyle, more exercise and a balanced diet.

Freddy is hoping to persuade certain age groups, who may be constantly glued to Play Stations, computers and televisions, to get off the sofa and get fit.

The all-action figure emphasised the importance of diet and exercise but because Freddy himself is a child, he has to attend school like everyone else.

Mr Loft, 43, called at Richmond County Primary School last week.

He also dropped in on pupils in Northallerton and Scarborough.

He said: "The reaction to Freddy and his message is normally excellent.

"An active lifestyle is even more important today as we are living in an age when four out of ten children in the UK could be classed as obese."