TWO groups have scooped awards with photographs of themselves taken while they were walking their way to healthier lifestyles.

Auckland Amblers, based in Bishop Auckland, and the after-school walking club at St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Coundon, are members of the Wear Walking For Health initiative.

Both groups won prizes in a photography competition open to anyone involved in a County Durham project backed by the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB), which supports the health programme.

Lynne Wilson, co-ordinator of the initiative, which aims to improve health and fitness by encouraging walking, said: "I'm thrilled with the success of both groups in the photography competition. They are both very active and have introduced walking to people as a fun way to get regular exercise."

Mike Bridge, Age Concern locality officer, entered a picture of Auckland Amblers enjoying a walk near Greta Bridge last summer.

It was chosen by judges as one of the main winners and features in the SRB calendar for 2004 and Walking the Way to Health publications.

He said: "Everyone who looks at the picture sees something different they like about it, whether it is the people, flowers, or scene. It is nice to win a prize, but the best thing is that it gives the group and the walking scheme more publicity."

A photograph submitted by St Joseph's headteacher Stepha McManners, of the school's walking club, which regularly sees 20 or more pupils and parents go on walks in the area, was highly commended in the competition.

The Northern Echo has teamed up with Wear Valley District Council, Northumbria Water and Durham Dales Primary Care Trust to launch the Chance To Live campaign to promote healthy lifestyles.