A SIX-a-side football league in Purfleet has kicked off as it looks to meet with the increased demand from people looking to get fit for 2020.

In the week since Christmas Leisure Leagues has seen hundreds of new teams entering throughout their leagues network – the biggest in the world – and that has been especially true of the competition at Harris Academy.

Media Manager Jack Keeling explained that the firm had been researching the effects of the sport on health and after tracking some of their players late last year had some interesting findings.

Jack said: "On average you will do 101,640 steps in a season. This might be a lot more if you have Mesut Ozil in your midfield and you have to do all his running."

He put the increase down to the desire for post-Christmas fitness drives: "We know what it is like," he admitted. "People woke up on 1 January, with a hangover and thought: '2020 is the year that I am going to get fit', but what we offer is a lot more sociable than the gym."

It has been worked out that in a season with Leisure Leagues, in the league on Sunday, you'll burn off the equivalent of three full Domino's Large Pizzas, 59 KFC Hot Wings or 17 McDonald's Cheese Burgers.

There are places available in the Purfleet leagues throughout January, and you can sign up by clicking the red button below.