A £45,000 Countryside Agency grant to Hambleton Strollers will pay for a field worker to promote and plan its health walks.

Formed earlier this year, the Strollers promote walking in a bid to combat rising heart disease figures.

Members want to establish a series of set walks from every GP surgery and leisure centre in the district.

"We hope to launch the Walking to Health project towards the end of this year," said group chairman Dave Goodwin. "To get the ball rolling, we have already organised some pilot walks and we have been delighted with the response so far."

All the walks are free and follow the Town Trail routes through the area's market towns. Great Ayton and Bedale are the venues for the next two on the list.

Walkers are asked to meet at 11am at Great Ayton Tourist Information Centre on Thursday, September 5, and at Bedale Market Cross on Thursday, September 19. The walks last for about an hour.

The Strollers are made up of representatives of voluntary groups, charities and public sector agencies.

For more details contact Mr Goodwin, at the Civic Centre, Northallerton, or Cathy Munro, of Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust, on (01423) 535434.