A YOUNG exercise lover has racked up a huge score in the Beat the Street competition which came to an end on Wednesday.

Six-year-old Maisie Farrugia scored 5,440 points and covered 223 miles in the scheme which has been encouraging people to walk, run and cycle to win prizes.

The youngster, who goes to Montgomery Infants School, has managed to score nine percent of her school's total points.

Her father, Darren, said he is very proud of his daughter's efforts.

Mr Farrugia said: "The family are keen on fitness but she's simply amazed me.

"She has come out everyday over the past few months, rain or shine, and done incredibly well."

Mr Farrugia, 39, is the lead physical training instructor for 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment but says Maisie's always been sporty.

"I don't think my job has had a particular influence on her - she loves to play football, dance and swim.

"She's sad the competition has come to and end but she never needs any encouragement to get outside.

"Whenever I get home from work she's always ready to go out for a run."

Beat the Street competitors have been scoring points for their schools and companies since the programme began in September.

Points are recorded when the runner touches their key fob on electronic boxes which have been attached to lampposts.

Mr Farrugia, a father of three, said: "We've got one of the boxes just round the corner from home so that's been handy for her when she goes to school."

More than 12,000 people have taken part across Colchester and more than 93,000 miles have been covered in total.

Prizes in the form of shop vouchers will be awarded to the groups who have scored the highest numbers.

Intelligent Health, the company running the project for Colchester Borough Council and Livewell Colchester, said they were thrilled with the numbers.

A spokesman for Intelligent Health said: "At the start of the game we set a target distance of 75,000 miles and people in Colchester have smashed it.

"We said if the target was reached we would donate £600 to the Youth Enquiry Service so we're very happy the target's been hit.

"It's thanks to people like Maisie who have really got behind the initiative and walked, run or cycled a fantastic distance.

He added: "At this point, we can’t say whether we will be returning but of course we would love to come back to Colchester to see if players can travel even further."