A GROUP promoting walking as a means of improving health is expanding in the new year.

From January, walkers will be able to roam fortnightly in Easingwold and Bedale with the Hambleton Strollers, with a team of trained volunteer walk leaders.

The walks are aimed particularly at those who take little or no exercise.

They last less than an hour and are on reasonably level paths, starting from leisure centres and GP surgeries, where more details can be found.

Strollers co-ordinator Marion Archer said: "The scheme has gone from strength to strength. The 60-or-so people who regularly stroll with us really enjoy meeting up with their new friends, even though we go out in all weathers. There is plenty of room for extra people, so I hope many more will come and enjoy the benefits."

The Strollers was set up last year as part of the Walking to Health Initiative, which was funded nationally by the Countryside Agency, the British Heart Foundation, the New Opportunities Fund and Kia Cars.