Muggles in Bucks are being encouraged to get fit by picking up their brooms to play Harry Potter’s favourite sport.

Quidditch is coming to the county as part of Buckinghamshire County Council’s Active Bucks scheme, which has teamed up with a Quidditch group in Bucks to offer sessions to those who want to lead a healthier lifestyle.

The game is played in Harry Potter’s magical wizarding world with flying brooms, however there is a version where muggles (non-magic people) can now join in.

As in traditional Quidditch, both teams will have seven players and will be mounted on brooms, although they will not fly. The aim of the game is to score as many points as possible before the illusive snitch joins in.

Quidditch enthusiast Rhys Denley, eight, said: “Quidditch is really good because it is unusual and different from any other sport.

“My favourite bit is when the golden snitch gets released and you run to catch it. Other children should come and play it because you get to learn more about great teamwork and I can pretend that I am Harry Potter.”

Kirsty Feasey, from Active Bucks, said: “Keeping fit doesn’t have to mean trips to the gym or playing a recognised sport – there’s so many other ways to do exercise, of which Quidditch is a great example.”

Dr Jane O’Grady, director of public health, which funds the scheme, said: “Making sure people across Buckinghamshire have the opportunity to stay healthy is one of our top priorities.

“It’s even better if they can have lots of fun doing it - and Quidditch certainly does that.”

For more information, go to www.activebucks.co.uk.