OXFORD is one of the sportiest cities in the country, according to new figures.

A survey by Sport England has revealed 27 per cent of adults take part in regular activity – up by 6.3 per cent on the same figures in 2005 – making Oxford sixth-most active district.

And the county is also on the move, with more than a quarter of adults taking part in regular sport, making Oxfordshire the second-sportiest county.

School age sporting hopefuls were given a boost this week when Olympic medalist Gail Emms dropped by to offer some encouragement.

Miss Emms, who won a silver medal with badminton doubles partner Nathan Robertson at the Athens Olympics in 2004, visited students taking part in a “row the channel” challenge at Blessed George Napier School, Banbury, followed by a visit to The Cooper School, Bicester, and Bicester Community College, where she joined in a rounders match with King’s Meadow School, while Abi Gordon filled the catcher’s role.

The visits were part of Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week 2010.