A £1M plan to boost healthy living is likely to get the go-ahead tomorrow.

Middlesbrough Council's cabinet meeting will be asked to back a project aimed at helping neighbourhoods with a poor health record.

If approved, the scheme will target the eating, exercise and lifestyle habits of young people and families in east Middlesbrough, and the town's Hemlington, Ayresome, Whin-ney Banks and St Hilda's areas.

Councillor Eddie Dryden, Middlesbrough's commissioner for social care, said: "It isn't about preaching to people. It's about offering practical, no-nonsense advice and support which will help them make informed choices about diet, exercise, smoking and drinking."

The three-year initiative, paid for by the Government's New Opportunities Fund, will include a healthy eating plan for low-income families, at the Joe Walton's Youth Centre, in Berwick Hills, and a Kidz Power scheme to encourage children to take up exercise.

It will also tackle issues including excessive drinking, drugs and unprotected sex among young people.

"We'll be using existing community and leisure centres to get the projects going and most importantly we'll get out into communities to make the message and support accessible to everyone," said Coun Dryden.

The final bid - backed by 13 health agencies, community and voluntary groups - will go to the New Opportunities Fund later this month.