WORKERS are being encouraged to step out during their lunch breaks as part of the national Million Mile Challenge.

A series of short walks will be staged around Easington Village this month in response to Sport England's invitation to people across the country to cover a million miles in ten weeks.

The walks, which have been organised by Easington Primary Care Trust will leave from building six at Easington District Council offices in Seaside Lane at noon on August 9 and 16.

Each walk will cover a mile and will take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete.

People in the Easington District have been challenged to cover 13,000 of the million-mile total.

Miles can be achieved by a range of activities including walking, swimming or running.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage more people to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. Each local authority has been set a target for residents to achieve based on its population.

Claire Matthews, of the trust, said: "The walks are a great excuse for people to take a break from desk at lunchtime.

"Getting a breath of fresh air is the perfect way to de-stress and go back to work with a clear head - and everyone who takes part will be helping the district to achieve its target."