GIRLS who demanded more exercise opportunities from council bosses yesterday had their calls answered.

A weekly after-school sports club for 11 to 16-year-old girls was launched at Ferryhill Leisure Centre by Sedgefield Borough Council last night. The club will meet from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday for an hour of exercise followed by a social club.

Working with Investing in Children and Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, girls from Ferryhill Business and Enterprise College quizzed their peers on what would encourage them to exercise more often.

They then presented their findings to Sedgefield Borough Council.

Sarah Dolphin, 14, said: "We said we wanted to try all sorts of things - like football, boxercise, cheerleading, dancing, martial arts, netball, and kickboxing - but locally. We also want to try ice skating, rock climbing and water sports but don't want to use public transport to get there."

Suzanne Richardson, sports development officer, said during the social hour members will plan the following week's activities.

Lucy Douglas, 13, said: "I didn't do any exercise except for PE at school but I'm sure I'll keep this up because we have a say in what we do and it is girls only."

The move strengthens The Northern Echo's A Chance To Live health campaign which aims to tackle the area's high rates of coronary heart disease and obesity. For details of the club, contact Miss Richardson on 01388-816166.