'Vigorboards' used to cut obesity

The vigorboard helps users tone muscles and lose weight

Special skateboards are being rolled out across schools in a Merseyside town in a bid to tackle obesity and truancy.

St Helens Council has introduced the "vigorboard", a self-propelled skateboard which is split in the middle with wheels that rotate 360 degrees.

The council is one of the first local authorities to test the board, which was introduced at Sutton High School and became very popular among pupils.

It is now being used in PE lessons at every primary and secondary school.

Hailed as the "next generation" skateboard, it is supposed to improve balance, tone the muscles and help the user lose weight.