A SCHEME to improve the health of a town yesterday received Government backing.

Darlington was the first UK town to pioneer the Great Activity Revolution which, over the next four years, in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics, will develop a network of mass-participation sporting events in the UK.

The scheme, the idea of North- East sportsman Brendan Foster, was yesterday endorsed by Government ministers at a launch in London.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "Lots of people want to get fitter, but the hardest thing is often putting on your trainers and taking that first crucial step to turn a wish into a reality.

"That is why Brendan's imaginative campaign is so terrific, motivational and simple and will be so effective."

In January, Darlington signedup for the campaign after Mr Foster pitched his idea to Darlington Partnership, the organisation that unites the public, private and voluntary sectors in the town.

It is hoped the campaign will By Jim Entwistle jim.entwistle@nne.co.uk encourage mass participation in easily accessible activities, including running, swimming, cycling, walking, gym and dance, while raising money for charity.

Mr Foster said: "Inactivity is a ticking timebomb which puts the health of our entire nation under threat. The UK is less fit than it has ever been, and when research shows our children have a shorter life expectancy than their parents, we simply have to do something.

"By encouraging people to enter mass participation events, they can have fun getting fit and also raise money for a number of our charity partners."

Mass-participation events planned in Darlington include a 10km run, swimathon and dance festival, all under the scheme's Taking to the Streets campaign.

Steve Rose, the chief executive of Darlington Partnership, said: "We are delighted to be part of the Taking to the Streets brand and looking forward to engaging as many people, especially younger and older people, as we can.

"Anything that can bring together different activities which involve groups of people getting fit has got to be a good thing."

The launch coincides with the introduction of the Great Activity website greatactivity.org