A COMMUNITY bid to improve the health of pupils at a Petersfield school is finally up and running after a summer of frustration.

Plans to install an all-weather running track at Herne Junior School have finally been submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority.

Work was due to begin in early May as the school was led to believe they would not need planing permission for the £75,000 facility.

But the starting pistol was silenced by planners with diggers poised, much to the frustration of headteacher Tony Markham.

He wants to get pupils “a golden mile” on the track, which will be open to the community, as his school is reputedly the most obese in Hampshire.

The proposals have been backed by Sport England and the sport development officer at East Hampshire District Council.

For more details type 03954 after following the search applications link at: www.southdowns.gov.uk/planning