RAINBOWS, Brownies and Guides in Darlington have been skipping their way to fitness in support of The Northern Echo's Chance to Live campaign.

Members of 31st St Augustine's have taken up the cause with the help of Darlington Primary Care Trust and the British Heart Foundation's Jump Rope for Heart.

Guider Marie Little said: "Personal health is now in everything we do here."

A charity skipathon which was held at St Augustine's community centre also raised more than £300 for the British Heart Foundation.

The Northern Echo's Chance to Live campaign was launched after the death of deputy chief photographer Ian Weir from heart disease.

After successfully securing more money for coronary care, the emphasis of the campaign shifted to preventing heart disease.

Brown Owl Bernadette Chapman, a friend of Mr Weir, said: "I think it is a really good thing to encourage children to be more active and aware of the health issues and the children really enjoy it."

The Chance to Live campaign received new impetus earlier this year when it won the backing of Darlington Primary Care Trust and Darlington Borough Council.

Darlington trust's clinical team leader for coronary heart disease, Barbara Conway, said: "Skipping is a great aerobic exercise and we have managed to introduce it in nearly all the primary schools."