There has been a 50 per cent increase in the number of Welsh children who regularly take part in sport and physical activity.

The figure comes from Sport Wales' School Sport Survey, which interviewed 110,000 pupils from nearly 1,000 schools across the country.

Of those surveyed, the number of children taking part in physical activity at least three times a week rose from 27 per cent in 2011 to 40 per cent in 2013.

Results also show that 91 per cent of children enjoy school sport and that School remains the most important place in which children learn the competence and confidence to participate in physical activity.

Despite the increase, however, there was no signs of the gap between the number of boys and girls playing sport closing. Boys (44 per cent) were still more likely than girls (36 per cent) to regularly participate in sport and physical activity.

Commenting on the survey results, Sport Wales Chair, Professor Laura McAllister said: "These excellent figures show what is possible when the sport and education sectors work together.

"They also help us understand how to encourage tomorrow's generation to participate more in sport and physical activity. But, there are still challenges ahead and we need to build upon the success that we are creating uniquely in Wales.

"We risk losing the enormous gains made if we do not listen to the voice of our children. At a time of public austerity it is not a question of more money. It is about investing in our children's future through the health, education and sports sectors working better together to give our children the best start in life."