KIND-HEARTED leisure centre staff are preparing to go the extra mile in aid of Children in Need.

A fitness instructor from Walton Lifestyles has enlisted the help of several regular visitors to take on a 20km hike around the Backwaters, carrying 20kg packs on their backs.

Organiser Kirsty Fowler said: "It will be a challenge carrying so much gear on our backs, but it wasn’t meant to be a nice stroll around the Backwaters – though a pleasant view it will be no doubt.

“I hope people will recognise the challenge and sponsor us accordingly.”

Swimming pool fun for all the family is being held at the leisure centre on Thursday, with an aqua class in the morning and an evening swimming session.

Across Thursday and Friday, a competition will be held encouraging participants to guess the number of spots on Pudsey.

There will be tea, coffee and cakes on offer, lovingly home made by staff.

On Wednesday a team at Brightlingsea Leisure Centre will row a distance equivalent to the width of the English Channel.

Customers are invited to join a marathon fitness session from 9.30am until noon on Thursday.

At Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles customers have been pedalling hard in a bid to cycle 423 miles by Saturday.  Staff are also taking on a Stour swim challenge, attempting to swim the equivalent of the length of the Stour within 24 hours.

Families can enjoy multi-sports throughout the day on Friday at Manningtree Sports Centre.

Mick Skeels, Tendring councillor responsible for tourism, encouraged people to dig deep for Children in Need.

“As always our leisure centre staff are going to fantastic efforts to raise funds for this brilliant charitable cause,” he said.

“I urge everyone to come along and have a go, or to sponsor staff for their challenges, and raise money at the same time as having fun.”