AN MP is calling for competitive sport to be made a key part of the school timetable.

Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh, is spearheading Government plans to make pupils take part in more competitive fixtures after school.

He says the policy will help combat rising levels of childhood obesity and antisocial behaviour.

The Labour MP was speaking in the wake of Bolton boxer Amir Khan's quarter final victory in the Olympic Games. Sport in schools would boost Britain's future Olympic prospects.

He said: "I am calling for a return to what we saw in the 80s where there was regular after-school competitive fixtures in the main sports.

"IAt a time when we are talking about childhood obesity and anti-social behaviour that some children are causing after school, it seems to me the answer that is staring us in the face."

Mr Burnham said teachers must be rewarded with extra pay or time off in lieu for teaching sport.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly backing the plans which would see around £500 million a year pumped into specialist sports training and a massive expansion in extra-curricular sports.

But unions are warning the move is impractical because of the additional workload it would place on teachers.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We are fully committed to encouraging competitive sports in schools.

"The Local Education Authority and the council have levered in approximately £3 million of mainstream and external funding in recent years to support the local PE and Sport agenda, including the development of the Sports Colleges at Thornleigh and St. Joseph's secondary schools."