Pupils at Ballacottier School are starting the school day with a zumba work-out for a third year thanks to support from Douglas company Auxesia.

The company has renewed its support for the school’s zumba programme, an innovative scheme designed to promote fitness and good mental health.

Children aged between four and 11, along with their teachers, take part in the fun, aerobic workout before daily classes begin.

Auxesia has again supplied the school with a range of personalised T-shirts to wear during the sessions, influenced by the scheme’s slogan, Love, Live, Be Active.

Ballacottier sports teacher David Partington said: ’The children are really enjoying these routines and it’s a fantastic way to start the school day.

’The movements really boost energy and get the kids’ bodies and brains active before classes. It takes place inside the sports hall so is not weather dependent and, all in all, is a superb initiative.

’A sincere thank you to Auxesia for its continued support of this scheme - without the firm’s help it just wouldn’t be possible to go ahead each morning.’

Auxesia finance director Belinda Watson said the company was ’very happy to be involved’.