A FAMILY fun day to encourage young people to become more active took place at the weekend.

The event, at Teesdale Sports Centre, in Barnard Castle, was co-ordinated by Durham Dales Primary Care Trust's Leap project, Active Choice, to get youngsters to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Hundreds of families attended the event on Saturday, which featured a wide range of activities such as new age curling, netball, yoga and Tai Chi, circuit classes, swimming and climbing.

The fun day was part of a two-week healthy activity programme for Teesdale primary schools and was co-ordinated by Teesdale leisure services, the primary care trust and the local education authority.

Dave Allen, Active Choice project co-ordinator, said: "By targeting young people and giving them the opportunity and support to get more active the project is addressing the root causes of heart disease and other conditions, so preventing illness in future generations in the Durham Dales.

"The fun day gave us a chance to showcase some of the activities Active Choice is piloting in the various Durham Dales schools and communities for the young people who are aged between five and 14."