Two in five children want to be more physically active but many spend six hours a day glued to their devices, a study reveals.

More than a third of youngsters aged seven to 14 years (35 per cent) say they do just half an hour or less of exercise each day outside of school.

Meanwhile, one in ten (12 per cent) are active for only a few minutes, despite the UK Chief Medical Officers' guidelines recommending at least an hour.

Over half (53 per cent) are using screens for more than three hours each day when not in school, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) staring at gadgets for six hours.

This is despite only 26 per cent of children saying they prefer to be in front of a screen than exercising, according to a survey of 1,000 seven to 14-year-olds by fitness trade body ukactive.

Furthermore, 40 per cent say they want to be more physically active than they are.

Research shows that physically active children have more confidence, less anxiety, better social skills and better academic performance.

Exercise can also reduce the risk of obesity, cancer, heart disease and type-2 diabetes.

The ukactive survey reveals youngsters enjoy exercise more when doing it with friends (63 per cent), wearing their own choice of clothes (49 per cent) and when the coach or teacher is friendly and supportive (46 per cent).

They also like it when the activity is not too serious (43 per cent) and when in a place they are familiar with (42 per cent).

As children age they spend more time in front of a screen but not more time being physically active, the poll found.

The findings come as ukactive publishes a new strategy aimed at getting one million more children active by 2030.

It seeks to better understand the needs and demands of children so leisure centres can encourage more participation in physical activity, as well ensuring they are welcomed safely.

A spokesman for ukactive said: 'Children and young people are telling us they want to be more active and that they really value fun and varied activities in familiar, supported environments.

 As sedentary screen time and mental health issues grow, the Government must take a new policy approach if it is to help create a generation of happy, healthy children focusing on the essential role of our nation's gyms, pools and leisure centres in helping the health and wellbeing of the youngest in our society.

'We encourage this new Government to acknowledge and support the growth in demand from children and young people for fitness, dance, swim and gym activities, alongside traditional sports, and support the sector to reach even more young people with the physical, mental, and social benefits that being active provides.'

Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said: 'Grassroots sport has the potential to transform lives, which is why we are building and upgrading thousands of multi-sport facilities to help you get active wherever you live.

'Alongside this, we have launched a review of the school curriculum designed to ensure that sport is not just the preserve of a privileged few.'