PRIMARY school pupils in Teesdale took their families to a fun event carrying a serious health message yesterday.

More than 400 children and adults joined in games and other activities at Teesdale Sports Centre, in Barnard Castle, organised by the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust.

The trust's new project, called Active Choice, aims to encourage young people to exercise more as a way of achieving good health.

It is part of one of nine Local Exercise Action Pilot (Leap) schemes across the country, which identify the best ways of getting people to become more active, especially those who do little exercise and live in areas with poor health statistics.

At the centre there was a wide range of activities to try, including a climbing wall, a bouncy castle, cheerleading, new age curling, American sports, circuit classes, yoga, health walks and a taste of healthy eating.

Dave Allen, who co-ordinates the £200,000 dales initiative, said: "It was a great success and a huge encouragement to get these activities into schools and the communities.

"By targeting young people and giving them the opportunity and support to get more active, the project will address the root causes of heart disease, so preventing illness in future generations.

"It is a well established fact that regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes."