An ex-professional footballer has started walking football sessions for people aged 18 to over 70.

Janette Hynes MBE, a qualified UEFA B coach and consultant occupational therapist, started the sessions in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

The initiative, which started as a trial, has attracted a wide range of participants, including those at risk of diabetes, social isolation, and a man with Parkinson’s disease.

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Janette said: "The beauty of walking football is that it is very low impact, so you can play no matter what level of fitness or physical challenges.

"We have players who have back, hip and knee conditions."

The sessions, which aim to enhance both physical and mental health, have proven popular, prompting Janette to successfully apply for a £350 grant from Broadacres.

The funding will be used to pay for a pitch at Stokesley Leisure Centre, enabling further sessions to be held at a low cost to participants.

Janette said: "It gets people back into enjoying sport and the social interaction and health and wellbeing benefits that brings."

The grant was sourced from Broadacres' Community Development Fund, which supports local organisations and projects in areas where the association has homes.

All grants are approved by the association’s residents through a voting scheme.

Janette, who was awarded an MBE in 2008 in recognition of her achievements, has combined her expertise in football and healthcare to design numerous programmes for improving physical and mental health.

She recently moved to Stokesley and started the walking football sessions as a test to gauge interest.

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The money came from the Association’s Community Development Fund which supports local organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes.

All grants are approved by the Association’s own residents via a voting scheme using tokens similar to how Tesco award grants in its stores.

To apply to the Fund visit https://www.broadacres.org.uk/customer-area/getting-involved/community-development-fund/