YOUNG people are being targeted in a keep-fit initiative aimed at preventing disease.

Durham Dales Primary Care Trust has been chosen to run a Local Exercise Action Pilot Scheme (Leap), which will encourage children to take more exercise.

The primary care trust is one of nine in the country taking part in the national initiative, which is especially aimed at those who do little exercise and live in areas of poor health.

The trust is also in partnership with The Northern Echo, Wear Valley District Council and Northumbrian Water in the Chance to Live campaign, which aims to address disturbing heart disease statistics in the district by persuading people to eat well and exercise more.

The Leap scheme will cost about £200,000 and has been jointly funded by the Department of Health, the Countryside Agency and Sport England.

According to national figures, four out of ten boys and five out of ten girls are not meeting the recommended level of one hour of exercise a day.

To rectify this, the Dales trust has organised a range of activities for young people in the area between the ages of five and 14, including a series of week-long camps for young people with weight problems.

There will also be a forum for young people to express their views about physical activities in their schools and communities, and give ideas on how to improve them.

The work will be carried out in close partnership with organisations that include Durham Sport, Scolarest, the University of Durham, Wear Valley and Teesdale district councils, Sport Action Zone, County Durham Local Education Authority and local social clubs.

Public health development specialist Ken Ross, who is leading the work for the trust, said: "By targeting young people and giving them the opportunity and support to get more active this pilot will address the root causes of heart disease, so preventing illness in future generations in the Durham Dales."

Last week, Professor Massimo Massarini, who is proposing research in the district on the links between exercise and obesity, visited Auckland Castle, in Bishop Auckland.

During his visit he emphasised the importance of eating healthy foods and getting plenty of exercise.