City-wide virtual game encourages people to exercise

Active Gloucestershire's Matt Williams in front of National Waterways Museum in Gloucester where a tag has been left

A city has been transformed into a giant virtual game in a bid to boost people's daily exercise.

'Street Tag', which is being run by charity Active Gloucestershire, is taking place across Gloucester until 27 November.

In the app-based game, people earn points by walking, running, cycling, scooting or rolling in their wheelchairs to collect tags strategically placed across the city.

Project lead Matt Williams said: "What’s not to like? Getting more active, connecting with others and getting to see the many great places of Gloucester."

Points can be earned by scanning virtual tags around Gloucester, converting steps movement into Street Tag points, as well as joining online fitness classes to earn PEcodes which can also be converted to points.

The top teams at the end of each season will win prizes including gift vouchers.

Tags appear on posters which are placed at popular spots across Gloucester

Mr Williams continued: "The whole point about the game is getting people more active, it's kind of a fun motivational way [rather than saying] you've got to do this, you've got to go and run a half marathon.

"Actually it just starts from the little steps really," he added.

Street Tag will also be used to engage people and schools to walk and cycle more when travelling across Gloucester.

"There's a few prizes but my prize is getting people out there," Mr Williams added.