MILLIONS of people will already be making a silent promise to themselves to work off the excesses of the festive season as it begins to show around their waistlines.

Water company bosses are trying to encourage them to forget the gym - and head out into the countryside.

"Two months ago, Yorkshire Water opened more broad swathes of its land to the public under the Countryside Rights of Way Act," said the company's recreation and access manager, Bob Baxter.

"The moorland helps us provide the best water quality ever to our customers and we will be opening more paths and moors for them to enjoy."

The company says a brisk walk or jog around one of the company's 100-plus reservoirs or a ramble across its open moorland can contribute as much to an exercise regime as an hour on a treadmill or some other gym device.

Walking also improves the cardiovascular system and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease or a stroke while offering some spectacular scenery to admire.

More details of walks available on Yorkshire Water land can be found online at www.yorkshirewater.com/ yourenjoyment.

The website includes descriptions of the routes to follow, maps which can be down-loaded and details of areas which have been designated access land under the act.