AT Beaconhurst School, nursery pupils start each day with half an hour of structured physical exercise.

Running, jumping, climbing ropes, hopping, twisting and balancing are all part of the morning's activities.

Eight nursery staff from the private school in Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, were trained over a ten-week period by staff from the University of Stirling as part of the pilot project.

Judith Ramsay, the school's director of sport, said: "It's unusual and exciting to see children from just three years old doing proper physical activity on a daily basis. They are out every morning for their session - with the aim of developing fundamental movement and motor skills.

"We are providing a strong foundation for their future physical development, and most importantly the kids absolutely love it."

The school also intends to train its primary school staff in future to enable more pupils to have half an hour of daily physical activity on top of the PE lessons they already receive.

The university will monitor the success of the initiative in terms of changing pupils' attitudes towards physical exercise and sport.