Workers urged to follow the road to fitness

Five easy routes around Bishop Auckland have been drawn up to encourage more people to join the Wear Walking for Health initiative.

A thousand packs containing the routes and information about the scheme and benefits of walking regularly, have been printed by Wear Valley District Council.

Lynn Wilson, scheme co-ordinator, said: "The routes have all been designed to easily fit into a lunch break or convenient time of the day so everyone can do a short walk every day.

"People often want to fit simple exercise into their day but don't want to walk aimlessly so these packs give something to aim for.

"They give clear directions around parts of the town centre, recreation ground and Auckland Park, with photographs, so you don't have to be a map reader or know the area really well.

"The walks are easy going, just over a mile long and take around half an hour." Lynn also said that the short walks are ideal for people on exercise referral from doctors or who themselves want to start exercise after illness.

Anyone unsure about walking alone can join weekly guided walks from The Four Clocks Centre, at 1pm on Thursdays, or Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, from 11am every Friday.

The Wear Valley Advertiser and The Northern Echo has teamed up with Wear Valley District Council, Northumbria Water and Durham Dales Primary Care Trust to launch the Chance To Live campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.

Walking is seen as one of the easiest and most beneficial ways forms of exercise to slot into your lifestyle.

A brisk 30 minute walk most days can help prevent heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure, aid weight loss, strengthen bones, tone muscles and increase stamina and energy.

To get one of the new information packs, with Bishop Auckland health walk guides, call (01388) 765555. Or write to Lynn Wilson, Wear Walking for Health, Community Services Department, Wear Valley District Council, Civic Centre, Crook, Co Durham, DL15 9ES.