Health Secretary John Reid and running legend Brendan Foster are due to launch a unique £1.1m mobile gym in the region today.

Developed for use in the North-East, the Wellness On Wheels project is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.

The plan is to send gym equipment on the back of a 44ft articulated truck to isolated villages and small towns in the Wear Valley district of County Durham.

The WOW trailer, which can be parked near factories or offices so employees can work out in their lunchtime, is staffed by qualified fitness instructors.

Dr Reid and Mr Foster, who runs Nova International, the firm behind the Great North Run and Great North Walk, will officially unveil the WOW trailer during a major public health conference which is underway at The Sage complex on Gateshead Quays.

The WOW project was developed as part of efforts to promote fitness and activity in difficult to reach parts of the North-East.

Those living far away from leisure centres and gyms are the main target.

Judith Rasmussen, regional director for one of the Wellness On Wheels partners, Sport England, said: "This is the first of its kind anywhere. It results from Sport Action Zone Research which recognised the lack of facilities in the dales and will break down barriers in terms of access and opportunities."

Other partners in the WOW project are Wear Valley District Council, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, Sport Action Zone and equipment company Technogym.

WOW is expected to take to the roads of County Durham later this spring and will appear at major events such as the Great North Walk at Wolsingham on Sunday July 10 and at dales agricultural shows.

The project supports the aims of The Northern Echo's A Chance To Live Campaign which promotes exercise and healthy eating.