IF you go down to the woods today, your health will be in for a nice surprise.

Youngsters from primary schools have been taking part in the Chopwell Wood Health Project, with health workers taking pupils on visits to the woods in Gateshead.

Run by Derwentside Primary Care Trust, the scheme sees the children take part in activities such as orienteering and pond dipping, as well as learning about the importance of eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Health development worker and project co-ordinator Nick Powell said: "Prior to the lessons, the children appear excited and maybe a little apprehensive.

"However, throughout the duration of the visit, the confidence of the majority of the children increases.

"Due to the fact that physical activity plays a large role within the lessons, the children emerge from the wood re-energised and relaxed."

The £50,000 project, set up in June, will run until October next year. It is a partnership between the Derwentside trust, its Gateshead counterpart, The Friends of Chopwell Wood and the Forestry Commission.

The initiative also includes a GP referral scheme, where adults in north Durham are prescribed woodland walks.

Dr Anne Low, director of public health for the Derwentside trust, said: "This project is covering new ground and the real aim is to see whether we can make it work and have an impact on people's lifestyle choices.

"Inactivity and unhealthy eating are significant factors in obesity and illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Research has shown that exercising in natural environments can help reduce stress and speed recovery from illness.

"The success of the project will depend on whether we have more youngsters and adults taking physical exercise and eating the right foods - and whether patients referred through GPs sustain the benefit they get from woodland exercise."