A HEALTHY living project costing £380,000 is under way in the region.

The New Life: New You initiative is targeting so-called Brendas and Terrys – older, working-class men and women in Middlesbrough who tend to be overweight, inactive and more prone to develop diabetes.

The aim is to reduce their chances of developing type two diabetes by giving them a taste for exercise and healthy eating.

The 18-month pilot scheme is being part-funded by Sport England, which is putting more than £143,000 into it.

It is part of efforts to leave a lasting legacy after the 2012 London Olympics.

If the pilot scheme is successful, it could be rolled out across the region.

The first of 500 volunteers have been recruited – half of whom will undergo an intensive, ten-week programme of activity, supported by project staff in person, by telephone and by emails.

People taking part will be able to choose from a menu of activities, including swimming, cycling, working out in the gym, fitness classes, dancing and walking.

A buddy scheme will be developed, so that volunteers who have already completed the course can encourage beginners.

When the course ends, the volunteers will be encouraged to maintain the same level of activity for another 42 weeks.

The other 250 will be given a card entitling them to heavily discounted access to sports centre facilities.

The scheme will test new ways of changing attitudes towards physical activity, linked to the prevention of diabetes.

Rates of type two diabetes, which can result in serious complications if it is not diagnosed and properly managed, are rising across the UK.

Project manager Will Smith said: “We are still in the development programme and, so far, the volunteers suitable to join the ten-week intervention programme have all been women, but we are looking to recruit more men.”

The slogan Change A Little to Live a Lot has been chosen to encourage people to sign up.

The scheme has been developed by Sport England, Public Health North-East, Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust, Middlesbrough Council, Diabetes UK, Tees Valley Sport, Newcastle University and the National Social Marketing Centre.