A report out yesterday showed that people living in Easington are at greatest risk in the whole of England of being obese. Womens Editor SARAH FOSTER went to the former mining town to find out whats being done to change this.

ON opening the heavy double doors, I hear the strains of disco music and see before me a mass of bodies.

There are men and women, old and young, and all are decked in T-shirts and tracksuit bottoms. Theyre doing a warm-up, and from what I see of their expressions, they seem to like it.

Ive come to meet this varied group at Peterlee Leisure Centre because Ive heard they buck the trend. They may have problems with their weight but, unlike many in their close-knit neighbourhood, theyre not resigned to being obese. Harsh as it sounds, it seems that this is how things stand.

A study by information provider Experian, released yesterday, shows that of everywhere in England, Easington district tops the table for obesity. By combining data on Body Mass Index (BMI) with a recent health survey and postcodes, it found the risk of obesity in Easington was 22 per cent higher than the norm. To those accustomed to hearing tales of Easingtons woes C its deprivation, the lack of opportunities since the mines shut down C perhaps this comes as no surprise. Yet, for the circuit training class, at least theres hope. Amid the squats and straddle steps, I snatch a word with four participants.

Beryl McCoy and husband John were spurred to join by Johns poor health. I was a doctors referral, says the 64-yearold, who lives with Beryl in nearby Wingate. I was overweight C I still am C and had high blood pressure, cholesterol, depression... everything. The doctor advised exercise and I said now that were pensioners, its a bit steep to join the gym.

John and Beryl were given details of Get Active, a local scheme specifically aimed at people like them. They say its turned their lives around. Weve been coming here for six months now, says John. I had a check-up about three to four weeks ago and my cholesterol, everything, was perfect. Not only do we come here but Beryl goes to aqua aerobics and I go to the gym three or four times a week. I feel 100 per cent better to be honest.

A similar message comes from Brian Lippeatt, another member of the class.

The 61-year-old, who lives in Shotton, is also accompanied by his wife. He says that before becoming active he faced the prospect of premature death. Ive got coronary heart disease C my arteries are blocked and Ive had a stent put in, he says. Its probably from smoking. I was warned that if I didnt stop I wouldnt be here in five years.

Like John and Beryl, he and wife Terry have reinvented themselves.

Weve totally changed our lifestyle, he says. Our diet has totally changed.

Terry adds: When he retired, we went onto fast food and now were changing it round to healthy eating.

When asked how bad habits became ingrained, the couples vary in their replies. While John overate to counter stress, Terry admits she turned to junk food out of ease. All agree that theres a problem with obesity. I see a lot of overweight kids, says Brian. When we were brought up, we had proper dinners with veggies and everything C now they all go to McDonalds.

Its down to Jacqui Deakin, Get Active team leader, to do her best to combat this. As well as running the circuit class C and many others C her staff from the Primary Care Trust facilitate exercise in schools. I ask what she makes of the damning report. I think its a very broad brush comment, she says dismissively.

Yes, we know that Easington has severe deprivation and we know theres national statistical data which demonstrates that theres the highest level of obesity in Easington. However, there are public health programmes which are striving extremely hard to address its health needs, weight management being part of this.

The programme Jacqui oversees is a key part of the districts armoury. She tells me how it came to be. The Get Active work programmes consist of what was originally the Health For All project, she says. Theyre specifically designed to help people improve their health by getting them more active more often, because obviously physical activity confers many health benefits. Basically, Get Active has a seven-strong team of specialists through whom people can access high quality physical activities.

Clients are referred by different agents, from family doctors to dieticians.

Its up to them to seize their chance. Its about behaviour change so we wait for them to contact us, explains Jacqui. If a person is not at that stage of readiness, theyre not going to be able to make changes for life. People are quite anxious and thats one of the areas we review constantly.

Having taken the first step, the person gets advice on which activities they can choose. Jacqui gives me the list. Theres circuit classes, tai chi, swimming, aqua fit, gym programmes, health walks and cycle tours, and we also have a homebased programme for people who are housebound, she says.

What lies behind the schemes success is that the classes are either free or highly subsidised. As Jacqui knows, a lack of money can often frighten people off.

Theyll say I cant afford to eat so I cant afford to join WeightWatchers, she says.

I think its about access to opportunities.

Its very much about affordability.

In the past four years of its existence, the drive to lower peoples weight and boost their fitness has proved a boon, with 30,000 people signing up. As Jacqui makes clear, it hasnt worked by being simplistic C its had to take things as a whole. Its very much a holistic approach, she says. Its about peoples physical, mental, social and emotional lifestyles and goals. Its the social, emotional and wellbeing aspects that are usually achieved first.

The scheme is now a victim of its own success, with demand for classes outstripping resources. I ask for Jacquis final thoughts on what would really curb obesity and she replies without a pause.

Further funding and investment in Easington from central Government, she says. Were working so hard in a local context to address its needs but its like a grain of sand in the ocean.

For more information on Get Active, call 0191-569 2847 or email getactive@easingtonpct.nhs.uk