Portsmouth is to be awarded £6m to boost physical activity throughout the city.

The government will donate £3m from its Health Community Challenge Fund – which will be matched by funding from local partners including Portsmouth City Council, Portsmouth City Teaching PTC, Portsmouth Housing Association, Natural England and Government Office South East, as well as local community groups.

Ten projects are set to benefit from the cash, focused around four themes: social enterprise, community allotments, improving cycling and healthy weight and families.

Susie Waller, head of health improvement and development at the city council, said: “This is a really exciting development. It provides us with a fantastic opportunity to have real impact and make a difference to the lives of people in Portsmouth.

“We will build on existing good work going on the city to tackle health equalities, focusing on food and health and physical activity.”