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More than 300 British Olympians and Paralympians have called on the government to take urgent action on climate change following the coronavirus pandemic.

Mo Farah, Rebecca Adlington and Hannah Cockroft are all among the champions who have signed a letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging a "truly green approach" to the recovery from the pandemic.

The letter is asking the government to help create a healthy, safe Earth for all.

Next year the UK will host the Cop26 summit in Glasgow. This is a meeting of world leaders to talk about climate change and what nations are planning to do to tackle it.

The letter says the UK has the "opportunity to show international leadership on the most important issue facing humankind".

The letter was written by Great Britain rowing team member and environmental lawyer Melissa Wilson, on behalf of Champions of Earth, a group of athletes using their voice to highlight the climate crisis.

Melissa Wilson said she decided to write the letter because recovery from coronavirus presented a huge opportunity for change.

Melissa added: "The recovery from the pandemic also gives us a chance to clean our air, particularly to benefit our society's younger people whose lungs suffer the most from air pollution."

Sir Steve Redgrave, five time Olympic rowing champion, said: "As an athlete you need a healthy environment to perform at the highest level".

Triathlete Alistair Brownlee said: "I love to compete, but I also want my sport to be safe for generations to come - that's why I want the Government to take a lead on tackling climate change."

Paula Radcliffe, long distance runner and winner of three London Marathons, also signed the letter.

The letter to the government asked that they lead the way out of the pandemic "whilst forging the ultimate Legacy: a healthy, safe Earth for all".