THE drive to get more people taking exercise has moved another step forward through an initiative aiming to bridge the gap between generations.

Age Concern in County Durham has teamed up with the Wear Valley Sport Action Zone to unite older people and youngsters through sport.

An initiative to recruit older volunteers to act as sports coaches worked well for pupils at Parkside School, in Willington, who teamed up with Crook Golf Club and volunteer agency 2D through the Golf Foundation's Junior Leader Training and the Junior Passport Scheme.

The young players have improved their game and are ready to join the club, which offers a £40 junior membership. They have earned prizes and certificates, which will be presented next Saturday.

Passport scheme training for beginners is being arranged at the club in the school holidays, on August 17, 18 and 19, from 10am to 2pm.

Grandparents and grandchildren are being invited to tai chi taster sessions at three venues.

Tai chi has proved popular in schools.

Fran Thirling, headteacher of Cockton Hill Junior School, in Bishop Auckland, said regular sessions had changed the school's ethos, encouraging tolerance and self-control, and boosting pupils' confidence.

Marianne Patterson, from Age Concern, said: "Our priority is to get people active and involved in sport and exercise, whatever their age, across the whole of the Wear Valley district.

"The golf project has been a huge success. The children learn other things like team building and the etiquette of belonging to a club, and they can spend their holidays out in the fresh air enjoying the sport with their friends."

Wear Valley District Council has teamed up with The Northern Echo, the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust and Northumbrian Water to encourage healthy eating and exercise through the campaign A Chance to Live.

Tai chi sessions will be held in Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre, Bishop Auckland, at 2pm and 3pm on Wednesday, July 28; in the Spectrum Leisure Centre, Willington, at 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday, August 4, and in Glenholme Leisure Centre, Crook, at 10.30am and 11.30am on Monday, August 9. Everyone taking part will get a free swimming voucher. Call 0191-374 6364 or 0191-383 856 for details