HEALTH programmes to fight child obesity and help older people to lead more active and independent lives have received a £300,000 shot in the arm.

The Healthy Horizons project has won £220,000 from the Lottery-funded body, Active England.

The initiative is targeted at people over 50 in less well off areas, and aims to increase their participation in physical activity, to improve their life expectancy and well-being.

Part of the funding will pay for social exercise classes, such as tai chi, sequence and line dancing and short walks. It will also pay for one-off information events, covering topics such as diet, nutrition and healthy cooking.

The project will be delivered by Durham and Chester-le-Street Lifestyle Initiative, a partnership between Chester-le-Street District Council, Age Concern, Durham City Council and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

Part of it will look at the perceived barriers to exercise that older people face, plus the mental health benefits of socialising with their peers.

The health project will link with other Age Concern services for older people.

Miriam Davidson, the halth trust's deputy director of public health, said: "The evidence is rock solid that physical activity helps increase life expectancy and quality of life as well."

The Durham Children's Fund has also approved a grant of £80,000 to combat obesity in children. The trust-led project will encourage physical activity in young people and promote a healthy lifestyle.

The multi-agency partnership is now looking at how it could spend the cash.

Dr Tricia Cresswell, the trust's director of public health, welcomed the Active England funding. She said: "We know that maintaining a physically active lifestyle into old age helps people continue with their independence and improve their quality of life."

John Evans, Chester-le-Street District Council's portfolio holder for leisure, said: "These awards serve to demonstrate how authorities of different types can work together as a cohesive and successful partnership, to serve the needs of local people by delivering valuable services."