A six-week competition to get South Ayrshire residents physically active will start on February 14.

The 'Beat the Street' initiative combines smartcard and online technology to log physical activity such as walking, running, cycling, or rolling done by local participants.

The competition issues players a free smartcard which they tap on ‘Beat Boxes’ located on lampposts across South Ayrshire, to monitor their progress.

An app has also been created for use on smartphones.

Councillor Bob Pollock, economic development portfolio holder for South Ayrshire Council, said: "This is a great initiative which will hopefully encourage residents young and old to get active."

"The aim of the game is to promote the use of sustainable forms of travel in our everyday lives.

"Ultimately, the way we get about has huge implications for the planet, walking or wheeling is not only good for the environment, but also a healthy way to get from A to B.”

The free competition, open to both individuals and groups, allows participants to gauge their process via a specially designed app or a website where they can also engage on social media.

Primary schools, too, can get on board the initiative and will be given pre-registered fobs for the 'Beat Boxes'.

South Ayrshire Council, the Ayrshire Roads Alliance and Intelligent Health Ltd are jointly delivering the project, which is funded by Paths for All as part of their Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme, with a grant of £100,000.

Detailed information about signing up and get a smartcard can be found at tinyurl.com/msv54j8u, where a map of all 'Beat Box' locations is also available.

The competition's app can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.