Doctors have given their backing to a campaign to get Lowestoft walking as the town achieved its target of collectively walking 50,000 miles - enough to go once around the world.

Lowestoft has been doing so well at the Beat the Street challenge that the target was raised to 75,000 miles - and then raised again to 150,000 miles as walkers got within touching distance of beating the second target yesterday.

Nearly a fifth of Lowestoft's population is taking part in the event, which started last week and runs until Tuesday, July 21. The school team which travels the furthest can win up to £100, with cash prizes for the runners-up.

There are also grand prize draws and 'lucky tap' prizes.

Dr John Stammers, chairman of Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) HealthEast - responsible for healthcare in the area - said: 'Physical activity has been proven to help 23 long-term conditions and, as a community, you are helping the most inactive to get moving.

'It's going to be a wonderful week, so why not find some new areas to visit, get neighbours or friends involved or even set up a walking or cycling club to earn more points?

'With huge burdens on the NHS and data from the World Health Organisation that shows that physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, it's great to see Suffolk County Council and HealthEast in partnership with Lowestoft Rising, taking steps to reverse this trend locally.'

And Dr Hitesh Kumar, a GP at Andaman Surgery, said: 'It's a great initiative that makes people stop and think about whether that trip to school, work or to the shops could be done on foot rather than driving.'

Veronica Reynolds from Intelligent Health - the company that runs the Beat the Street scheme on behalf of Lowestoft Rising, in partnership with Suffolk County Council and HealthEast, said: 'The aim of Beat the Street is to encourage people to get moving and to become more active.

'We've had a brilliant response so far and are delighted with the way the people of Lowestoft have embraced it so enthusiastically.'

What do you think of the Beat the Street challenge? Write, giving your full contact details, to: Journal Postbox, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB or email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk