Students are being encouraged to jog or run 15 minutes every day as part of a new joint venture between London Marathon Events and Havering Council.

The Daily Mile is a global initiative that aims to get more pupils active.

To encourage more schools in the borough to take up the daily running challenge, London Marathon Events will award a £250 prize to one school this term and another £250 prize during the summer term.

Councillor Robert Benham, cabinet member for education, children and families, said: "Through our collaboration with London Marathon Events, supported by Veggie run, we aim to encourage more schools in our borough to sign up for The Daily Mile and support pupils to increase their daily activity during the school day.

"Research has shown children's physical, social, emotional and mental health improve with increased physical activity."

Veggie Run, the award winning app from Havering Council, works to educate children about healthy living.

It rewards pupils and their schools with sporty prizes and it will also play a key part in encouraging schools to participate in The Daily Mile.

"I am delighted to be working with the team at Havering to get more children involved with The Daily Mile," said Hugh Brasher, director at London Marathon events.

"We want to inspire activity and help Havering's primary schoolchildren to become the most physically active in London by inspiring fun, regular activity.

"My challenge is for every school in Havering to take part in 15 minutes running or jogging every day, it will make a massive difference to their health - and it helps them to concentrate in the classroom."

Elaine Wyllie, founder of The Daily Mile, added: "The Daily Mile is simple and free - it gets children out of the classroom for 15 minutes every day.

"Everyone can take part - the children can run at their own pace. "I hope every school in Havering signs up to take part and help their children get fit for learning and fit for life."

Schools can register at thedailymile.co.uk to be entered into the prize draw.