A BID to encourage young women in east Durham to be more active is up and running with the appointment of a dedicated officer.

Kaye Stephenson has joined Durham County Council’s Active Women project as engaging young women officer.

Ms Stephenson, of Easington, will be responsible for launching the new initiative next month, which aims to encourage more women aged 16 to 25 to be physically active.

The project will focus on three main groups: young mothers, women in the workplace and non-active women aged 16 to 19-years-old in further education.

The scheme plans to identify reasons that may stop women participating in physical activity as well as creating opportunities and sessions that will be more accessible to them.

In addition, the project aims to raise awareness of what activities are available and increase women’s confidence to allow them to take part.

Ms Stephenson said: "Research so far has identified that certain groups of young women don’t appear to be active or participate in sport and exercise.

"This appears to be for a variety of reasons, such as lack of confidence, transport issues, cost, childcare concerns and no time to fit it into their already busy schedules."

To launch the scheme a series of one-day festivals will be held in four areas across east Durham.

The project is being supported by County Durham Primary Care Trust and is funded by Sport England.

Ms Stephenson, 30, joins the project from East Durham College where she was a lecturer in Sports and Exercise for eight years.

For more information contact Ms Stephenson at 0191-527 0501 or email her at kaye.stephenson@durham.gov.uk