A Stretford scheme which saw the town turn into a giant game saw thousands of people take part in a big boost to their physical health and psychological health.

Beat the Street launched on February 28 and lasted for a month thanks to funding from Sport England, Trafford Council and Transport for Greater Manchester.

Already a success in other areas across the country the giant game asked anyone of any age, ability or background to travel to special sensors, or Beat Boxes, which were attached to lampposts across the area. Pupils at primary schools from St Alphonsus Primary School in the north to St Matthew's Primary School in the south received the contactless cards required to play along with their parents.

Anyone else was able to pick up these contactless cards from pick-up points including Stretford Leisure Centre and Stretford Public Hall or to use an app instead.

In total there more than 5,400 people took part, around half of them children, who travelled more than 60,000 miles as a whole.

There were prizes from Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Manchester United Foundation and Transport for Greater Manchester.

(Image: Trafford Council)

Helen Gollins, Director of Public Health at Trafford Council, said: "It is amazing to see these results as a consequence of implementing Beat the Street. We wanted a way to get people out and about and using the infrastructure we are working to put in place to make active travel more accessible for everyone. 

"I would like to thank everyone who embraced Beat the Street. It was fantastic to see so many players from so many schools competing for the top prizes."

Darren Morgan, the chair of Trafford Primary Headteachers, said: "Beat the Street was a wonderfully well-thought-through initiative which significantly positively impacted on physical health and psychological health, as well as allowing players to visit interesting places and parks which were a part of the project.

"I would struggle to find a way to improve this initiative. Thank you to all of those who were involved." 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.