AN MP has taken time out from the political scrum to join a summer rugby class in her constituency.

Roberta Blackman-Woods visited Durham School for the class, organised by mobile phone company O2, sponsor of the England team. The company is staging summer rugby classes across the region.

Ms Blackman-Woods said: "It was great to see the kids enjoying themselves and keeping fit through sport."

She added: "School sports are so important to tackling the growing problem of childhood obesity and keeping our children fit and active.

"But we also know that we have to encourage our kids to get involved in sport at a young age to make them into tomorrow's champions.

"The Government wants to give more children the chance to get fit and active, our commitment to extended schools will mean that more children will get the chance to play sport as well as other activities, such as art and music."