Beat the Street has launched in Pendle!

Beat the Street is a fun way of encouraging everyone in the community to get more active by turning Pendle into a free, fun, giant game for six weeks, giving local people a chance to take part in challenges and win prizes.

The initiative was created by GP Dr William Bird MBE - a specialist in physical activity - to encourage people to explore their local areas and to make exercise fun.

The aim of the game is to see how far you can walk, cycle, run, scoot and wheel from now until 30 October.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic idea and a great way for the people of Pendle to keep fit as an individual, with work colleagues or as a family.

“It also helps promote better mental health, reduces congestion and pollution, encourages people to connect with their local community and helps families spend time together and explore parts of the borough they may not have visited before.

“We are delighted to be involved in this initiative and hope as many people as possible will take part!”

Pendle residents are being encouraged to play the game on their way to work or school or play as a family at the weekend.

Participants need to earn as many points as possible by walking, running or cycling between scores of ‘beat boxes’ that have been fixed to lampposts across the borough.

Using a game card or app, the idea is to visit as many ‘beat boxes’ as possible to collect points, which could turn into prizes.

The game has been commissioned by Pendle Leisure Trust and funded by the Canal & River Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB, Pendle West Primary Care Network, Lancashire County Council, Pendle Borough Council, Active Lancashire and the National Lottery via Sport England.

Alison Goode, Chief Executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, said: “We are excited to bring Beat the Street to Pendle!

“It’s a fantastic, gripping game that really helps achieve positive results on getting people active, reducing congestion and improving community cohesion. It’s free to sign up, so please give it a go and have a go at walking, cycling or other forms of active travel.”

To take part, pick up a free card from one of the distribution points listed on the Beat the Street Pendle District website www.beatthestreet.me/pendle or for players over the age of 13, download the free app to play the game on your phone.