SENIOR officials are leading from the front in the battle to improve health in a North-East town.

The chief executive of Darlington Primary Care Trust, Colin Morris, is in training for the Sherwoods Chevrolet Darlington 10k Road Run, along with finance director Peter Chrisp, planning and performance director Paul Steward and public health director Nonnie Crawford.

The trust is backing the popular event on Sunday, August 14, in support of The Northern Echo's A Chance to Live campaign, which aims to highlight the importance of preventing heart disease.

Their marathon effort is designed to draw attention to the need to remain active to promote good health.

A Chance to Live was originally launched by The Northern Echo following the death of its deputy chief photographer Ian Weir, aged 38.

It aimed to have more resources invested in coronary care and, now that has been achieved, is looking at prevention rather than cure.

The shift in emphasis has seen a host of initiatives by the trust to improve people's health.

Mr Morris said: "Exercise is crucial to everyone's health and well-being, both physical and mental.

"The 10k is a great place to start and we are delighted to be taking part again. Hopefully, people will be bitten by the exercise bug and keep exercising long after we have crossed the finish line."

It will be sponsored by Sherwoods Chevrolet and held in association with The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council, Highland Spring, Saucony, Darlington Primary Care Trust and Alpha Radio.

Read more about the A Chance to Live campaign here.