THE county's streets are being turned into a 'giant virtual playground' by a new app offering rewards for exercise.

Street Tag converts physical activity into points and prizes, with competitors recording the distance they have walked, run or cycled by scanning virtual 'tags' with their smartphone at various locations.

The family-friendly app is funded by Oxfordshire County Council and is aimed at children, parents, schools, leisure venues and community groups.

Read also: Almost 70,000 children to get flu vaccination

The top rewards include £50 for the Parent Teacher Associations of the three leading schools in the district, with sports equipment, Amazon vouchers and more going to the highest-scoring communities.

Players can remain socially-distanced while exercising inside or out, with the council keen to promote walking and cycling as part of its active travel plans.

Cabinet member for environment Yvonne Constance hailed the app ahead of National Walk to School Week, which starts on Monday.

She said: "The fact that the app will incentivise children to walk to and from schools is good for the whole community. It will mean cleaner air, less congestion and healthier, fitter residents."

Schools can email Seun@streettag.co.uk or visit streettag.co.uk/schools.