PEOPLE in isolated communities are being offered exercise on their doorsteps and factory employees can work out at lunchtime in a £1.1m mobile gym being launched in the North-East next week.

The Wellness on Wheels project, believed to be the first in the world, will send gym equipment on the back of a 44ft articulated truck to villages and towns in the Wear Valley district of County Durham.

Manned by qualified fitness instructors, the trailer will not only offer gym facilities to people who live miles from the nearest leisure centre, but link in with activities in village halls and community centres.

It will be unveiled to delegates at a three-day health conference at the Sage Centre, in Gateshead, shortly after Easter.

One in five men and one and in four women in England are classed as obese and experts blame sedentary lifestyles and lack of exercise for increasing the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

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 recognises the lack of facilities in the dales and will break down barriers in terms of access and opportunities."

Other partners include Wear Valley District Council, the Durham Dales Primary Car Trust (PCT), Sport Action Zone and equipment company Technogym.

David Landes, the PCT's director of public health, said: "If we're to tackle the obesity problem, it's vital we encourage people to be more active. This project aims to show people that exercise can be fun and that you don't need to go over the top to get fit and healthy."

Wellness on Wheels should be on the road in late spring and will appear at major events such as the Great North Walk in Wolsingham on July 10 and at dales agricultural shows.

Co-ordinator Natalie Drew said: "This is an exciting three-year project and we are delighted that Wear Valley has been chosen as a benchmark.

"Our aim is to introduce new people to exercise and encourage them to sustain an active and healthy lifestyle."

Three years ago The Northern Echo teamed up with the council, the PCT and Northumbrian Water on a campaign called A Chance to Live, which promotes good health by encouraging people to chose healthy diets and exercise regularly.

Read more about the Chance To Live campaign here.