A PHYSICAL activity co-ordinator is to be appointed to combat the rise in obesity among young people.

Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils have joined forces with the Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to fund the post.

The co-ordinator will be charged with improving the health, diet and physical education of young people.

The co-ordinator will work with education bosses, sports clubs, youth clubs, play groups and leisure centres.

Hambleton's cabinet member for health, Councillor Neville Huxtable, said: "Nationally, there are great concerns about the rise in obesity among young people.

"By joining forces through the Hambleton Strategic Partnership with health professionals at the PCT and our colleagues at Richmondshire, we aim to increase the rates of physical activity - especially for the under 21s, many of whom do not currently take enough exercise.

"We aim to both improve access to existing facilities and opportunities and to create new activities in key locations across Hambleton."

Coun Huxtable said the role could see more youngsters engaged in sport, as well as walking, cycling, dancing and skateboarding.

It could also mean increasing the amount of daily exercise, for example by walking to school.

The new role will complement Hambleton Strategic Partnership's newly adopted Strategy for Young People.

The strategy aims to engage people aged from 13 to 24 to help provide facilities for them and ensure they have the skills to fulfil their future needs.