OLYMPIC swimmer and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Mark Foster came home to Essex to launch a new fitness initiative.

Get Active Essex was launched with a three-kilometre jog through Chelmsford’s Central Park and Foster, 44, was on hand to set the runners on their way.

Mark competed in five Olympics, so knows a thing or two about keeping fit.

Born in Billericay, he grew up in Southend. By 15 he was the fastest swimmer in the country and went on to win medals and set records at a global level.

Recently, he has become the face of Essex County Council’s campaign to get more people active.

With almost 50 per cent of people in Essex not participating in sport or physical activity, Mark wants to transform the image of his home county.

He said: “Essex has become famous for Towie. How about we become known as the fittest county in the country?

“When I was younger I played everything – basketball, football, tennis, athletics – not just swimming.

“This campaign isn’t about creating Olympic champions though, this is about getting people active, exercising more and getting healthy.

“I loved Southend seafront when I was young, you could run along there, bike and even go for a swim in the sea if you really fancied it.

“You could even hire out a canoe. It was just good being outside with lots of space to do things.”

As part of the Get Active Essex campaign, the county council has launched a one-stop shop for all sport clubs and activities across the county at www.essex.

gov.uk/getactive The campaign will run for two months and consist of posters, social media and online advertising.

The county councillor responsible for sport and physical activity, Ray Gooding, attended the launch.

He said: “Activity makes people healthier and happier and saves taxpayers’ money, which has to be an all-round bonus.”

The chairman of Active Essex, Gary Sullivan, said: “We hope this signals the start of a more active and healthy county.

“With more than half of the people in Essex not participating in sport or physical activity, we have a big challenge, but we are committed to ensuring people know how to get active and what opportunities are available.”