HEALTH walks which provide gentle exercise to people wanting to stay active are being increased in Hambleton.

The Hambleton Strollers Walking for Health project runs regular walks of between 30 and 90 minutes across the district which are aimed at people wanting to be more active, or who may be recovering from illness or have health issues such as joint problems.

It recently increased the number of walks it stages in Bedale from once a fortnight to once a week after receiving funding from Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group to train new walk leaders.

The project is also looking for more walk leaders in the Thirsk area to stage weekly events there.

Walk coordinator Paul Fisher said: “Our walks are aimed at those people who have not walked with a group before or do not feel they would be fast enough to walk with a group.

“Our walks last for an hour; they are over flat ground, risk assessed and led by trained volunteer walk leaders who will not leave you behind.

“The social side is just as important as the walking and we always go for a coffee after the walk.”

To volunteer as a walk leader, contact Paul Fisher at Age UK North Yorkshire on 01609 771624.

Programmes detailing when and where the walks take place in Northallerton, Bedale, Stokesley, Great Ayton, Thirsk and Easingwold are available in libraries, tourist information centres and doctors surgeries in Hambleton. Information is also available online at www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder