A council is running a series of fitness sessions aimed at promoting safety in sport for women and girls.

The 12-week programme in the Medway Towns is part of the Safer Streets initiative and comes in the wake of the murder of teacher Ashling Murphy who was attacked while out running along a canal near her home in Ireland.

It aims to create supportive, social groups and promote participation in sport in safe environments across all age ranges.

The sessions include both day-time and night-time running clubs, buggy fit classes for mums and exercise classes for women and girls from aged 12. There are also yoga classes which mums can take their pre-school aged children along to.

Medway Council's programme has been funded by the government's Safer Streets Fund so they are subsidised at £3.50 a session or free to join.

The Home Office fund was launched in 2020 and in October last year the third round of funding had a particular emphasis on the safety of women and girls. The £23m funding was awarded to crime commissioners and local authorities amid an outpouring of concern about women's safety, following the murder of Sarah Everard.

Former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, previously of Freemens Way in Deal, was handed a whole life sentence at the end of September.

Dee O’Rourke, assistant director of Culture and Community at Medway Council, said: “We’re pleased to be offering a 12-week fitness programme for women and girls across Medway, as part of the Safer Streets initiative.

"The programme aims to create a supportive, and safe, environment for women of all ages and abilities. A range of classes including BuggyFit, RunClub, Dance and jumpfit are on offer at either free, or discounted rates.

"We have received some great feedback from participants already and I would encourage residents to find out more about the sessions.”

To find out more and to book, click here.