A RUNNING and walking group that aims to improve participants' mental health is going from strength to strength.

The group is run by the county council’s Health and Adult Services for people referred by GPs and other health professionals and it has now been extended to Harrogate after a successful pilot in Hambleton.

The first group was started nearly two ago by Glen Hilton, a support time and recovery worker for the county council’s health and adult services and a former England International cross country runner.

He said: “Running calmed me down and gave me confidence in other areas.

"I felt that what it gave to me it could give to the people we support with mental health.

"Those that don’t want to run can walk but the point is they meet as a group and we get out in the open air every week and run or walk together."

Hambleton has provided a base for the group at the Northallerton Leisure Centre and they meet once a week to complete the Northallerton park run circuit.