SCOTLAND'S most decorated track and field athlete is urging schools across West Fife to sign up and take part in a nationwide initiative.

Pitreavie AAC member Eilidh Doyle has given her backing to the 'Daily Mile', which will take place on June 18.

Supported by Scottish Athletics, the Daily Mile is a transformative initiative that brings together children to run, wheel or walk for 15 minutes every day, encouraging them to be more active while improving their physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.

Launched by Elaine Wyllie eight years ago while working as a headteacher at a primary school in Stirling, the initiative has enjoyed huge success and, ahead of its first national event – hosted by INEOS and SAMH (the Scottish Association for Mental Health), more than 40 per cent of schools have signed up.

Former teacher Eilidh, 34, has been named as the ambassador for 'Scotland does the Daily Mile', and said: "I'm delighted to be the ambassador for the Daily Mile in Scotland and support this project as I think it is a really positive initiative to get young people more active. As a former teacher, I approve!

"It's fantastic to see so many schools signed up so far and I’d urge as many schools as possible to get involved. I'm excited to be endorsing this programme because I feel passionately that youngsters should be given the opportunity to be active and that hopefully starts out at primary school.

"Exercising with friends is so much fun and being active from a young age has many benefits."

Mum-of-one Eilidh has enjoyed a glittering athletics career, which brought her honours including European Championship 400 metres hurdles gold in 2014; three Commonwealth Games silver medals; and a 4x400m relay bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

If selected for Tokyo, she will compete in her third Olympic Games.

The Daily Mile currently has more than three million children running a daily mile across 12,000 schools in 80 countries but this is the first national event in Scotland of its kind.

Founder Elaine commented: "Getting our children active is more important than ever and it is very encouraging to see so many schools already signed up to the Daily Mile in Scotland.

"The past year has been challenging for everyone and we want to get that sense of community and fun back in our schools."

Schools can register for free at https://thedailymile.co.uk/school-signup/.