Clinically obese children at an Oxfordshire school are playing computer games to lose weight.

Pupils at Gosford Hill School in Kidlington have taken up playing Nintendo Wii - the latest computer console craze - as part of activities at a breakfast club before school.

Players of the £179.99 machine stand up for many of the games and use wands, called Wiimotes.

Now teachers are applying for money from the Children's Trust for money to buy another Wii - which regularly are sold out in the shops - to increase the physical activity the children do.

The club, which is for all pupils, has been running since September.

Maths teacher Alan Slater said: "Some of the games really get the children active and out of breath. They play sports such as boxing, tennis, bowling and baseball.

"Obviously this isn't the only thing that will help these children lose weight. The school also runs food awareness and healthy living courses."

An 11-year-old pupil, who is one of five overweight children who regularly play Nintendo Wii at the breakfast club, listed Sonic the Hedgehog, Cooking Mama and Mario Olympics as his favourite games.

The year seven pupil, from Kidlington, said: "I play Wii a lot. I can see it as a way of getting me to be more active."

There are other activities like pool, table football and even stilt-walking. Another pupil added: "It is good fun."

The scheme was praised by Dr Colin Waine, corrchairman of the National Obesity Forum.

He said: "This is the first I've heard of a school doing this. This seems like a modern solution to a modern problem.

"If it gets the kids out of breath, it will help to keep their blood pressure down and reduce their body fat in a healthy way.

"We'd love to know what the long-term results are."

Children at Gosford Hill School, like most schools in the county, have about two hours of physical education each week.