HEALTH boss Sue Young put her best foot forward when she joined the Hambleton Strollers.

The chairman of the local primary care trust joined 30 others for a 45-minute stroll near the Bedale Leisure Centre.

"I had the most enjoyable time participating in the walk and chatting to the strollers. Before I knew it, I had walked two miles, seen hidden parts of Bedale, including the Harbour, and a brace of Muscovy ducks," she said.

"I was most impressed by the planning and organisation that went into the walk and would encourage others to join the Strollers."

The Hambleton Strollers are part of the national Walking The Way To Health initiative, a joint venture by the British Heart Foundation and the Countryside Agency.

Local volunteers have been trained as walk leaders and their role not only involves leading the walk, but planning the route and record keeping.

There are about 17 walks each month from various towns and villages, including Thirsk, Bedale, Easingwold, Stokesley, Great Ayton, Hutton Rudby and Northallerton.

The Strollers are also involved in the Big Picture, an initiative backed by Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust to improve the health of less active people and those with health conditions, especially heart disease.

The aim is to encourage people to take a minimum of 30 minutes good exercise a day.