VIEWERS in the region can find out how to get a free stepometer if they watch Tyne Tees Television tonight.

The offer is part of ITV1's Britain On The Move campaign to encourage us all to build more activity into our daily lives.

Experts have calculated that we need to take 10,000 steps a day to stay healthy and reduce the risks of obesity, heart disease and some cancers.

You could already be on the road to health but not know it unless you have a stepometer - as Tyne Tees Television viewers have discovered once they've started using one.

Tyne Tees weatherman Bob Johnson, who's been wearing a stepometer since Britain On The Move launched in April said: "I am a bit deskbound so I was surprised to see that I average out 10,000 steps a day."

As part of tonight's Britain On The Move programme, at 7.30pm, presenter Ian Payne visits Housteads Roman fort at Hadrian's Wall.

He meets a Roman soldier, Jefficus, finds out about a typical day for an infantryman 2,000 years ago and meets some new recruits from Haltwhistle First School.

The wall is then a starting point for other inspiring ideas, including the Teach A Nipper To Be A Skipper scheme where six- year-olds teach the newest reception pupils how to skip.

Elizabeth Harwood, head of Parkside Infant School, in Seaham, Co Durham said: "It's as exciting for me when a child learns to skip as when they read a new word."

She believes physical activity is the key to academic achievement and has an Ofsted report to prove it.

For information on how to get active, viewers can call freephone 08000 96 10 10 or log on to http://www. itv.com/britainonthemove and www.itv.com/britainonthemove

Published: 13/07/2004