A PENSIONER with diabetes has criticised the decision to cancel a programme to support sufferers of the condition which he credits with helping him lose weight, get fitter and reduce his blood sugar levels.

Malcolm Clemmet, 66, joined the Just Beat It! programme in August last year.

Since then his GP says his fitness has improved by a third, he has lost 10kg in weight, and his blood sugar and cholesterol levels have fallen.

Mr Clemmet, from Shildon, County Durham, credits the improvements to his health to the Just Beat It! programme.

Last month, The Northern Echo revealed that the scheme launched less than a year ago was to be cancelled after funding was withdrawn.

Health chiefs wrote to users to express their "immense regret" that the programme would not be funded beyond the end of March.

The scheme was launched last year with the aim of offering a thousand people every year the chance to change their lives and avoid developing Type 2 diabetes.

Mr Clemmet said he was "astonished" at the decision to cancel the scheme.

"It cannot believe that this proven programme is having its funding withdrawn.

"I read that diabetes and obesity is costing the NHS some £50 million pounds in the North-East - I'm certain that this programme would help reduce this cost significantly."

Mr Clemmet has written to the scheme's managers to express his disappointment.

He has also contacted his MP, Helen Goodman, asking her to get involved.

The Just Beat It! scheme is run by the NHS with funding from Durham County Council.

In a letter to users, Stewart Doyle, health improvement specialist with County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said Durham County Council would no longer be in a position to fund the scheme after March 31, 2016.

"We are working with local organisations to find alternative programmes/sessions for you to attend so that you can continue the positive lifestyle changes that you have started to make," he said.

But in a letter to programme managers, Mr Clemmet added: "I find it astounding that instead of applying your efforts into fighting to keep this proven programme in operation, you are looking for alternative programme options."

Anna Lynch, Durham County Council’s director of public health, said: “The ‘Just Beat It!’ programme was created as a local pilot scheme after County Durham was one of seven areas in the country chosen to help the development of the National Diabetes Prevention Programme during 2015/16.

“It was always the plan that ‘Just Beat It!’ would close at the end of March and that the National Diabetes Prevention Programme would commence in April, commissioned by NHS England, to provide support to people identified at risk of developing diabetes.”

Almost 250,000 people in the region have blood sugar levels indicating a high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, with 50,000 at risk alone in County Durham.