PEOPLE in poor health and who do little exercise are being urged to start walking because it could save their lives.

The Walking Network is now ensuring that a national initiative called Walking the Way to Health is being implemented across South Worcestershire.

It is a joint initiative by the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency in a bid to combat obesity and ill health, said a South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust spokeswoman.

"People who do little exercise, or live in areas of poor health, are being encouraged to walk to benefit their health," she added.

"Health walks are purposeful, brisk walks undertaken on a regular basis."

She said walking can help reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, bowel cancer and osteoporosis, as well as reducing stress, anxiety, and even loneliness.

"Best of all, you can walk from home, you don't need special clothing or equipment, and it doesn't cost anything," she added.

There are currently two health walks groups in South Worcestershire.

Worcester Healthy Walking Group meets every Wednesday at University College Worcester, between 9.30am and 11am. For information call Haydn Jarrett on 01905 855227.

Sole Mates is based in Malvern. For an up-to-date programme of walks contact Mercy Augier on 01684 567468.

Plans to set up a group in Tenbury Wells are underway and for information about when it will start contact Myrte Elbers at South Worcestershire PCT on 01905 733148.

In the Wychavon area, an information pack anout the healthy benefits of walking is available.

It can be obtained by calling Jem Teal at Wychavon District Council on 01386 565235.

n For more general information about the national initiative and the advantages of exercise look at the Walking the Way to Health website at www.whi.org.uk