YOUNG people from the Wear Valley and Teesdale have been offered a fun way of getting fit as part of a national initiative.

They are taking part in an adventure camp in upper Weardale, experiencing a range of outdoor activities.

Canoeing and rock climbing were on yesterday's programme, which also included a gorge walk.

The camp is running over the next two weeks and is part of an Active Choice project, the name of the Durham Dales Local Exercise Action Pilot (Leap).

Active Choice identifies and tests alternative ways of reaching young people who take little exercise and live in areas of with poor health levels. Funding is from the Department of Health, the Countryside Agency and Sport England.

Although it is known that regular physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, strokes and diabetes, four out of ten boys and five out of ten girls are not meeting the recommended level of one hour of exercise a day.

David Allen, Leap co-ordinator for the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, said: "The camps are a fun way for local young people to tell us what helps or hinders them becoming and staying physically active and healthy.

"By making it fun and by listening to the young people, we hope to build up their self-esteem through a series of events that encourage social interaction and inform their decision-making."

The trust is a partner with The Northern Echo, Wear Valley District Council and Northumbrian Water in a campaign called A Chance to Live, which promotes good health.