NURSES and patients in Darlington are hoping to make huge strides towards fitness by walking their way to health.
Darlington Primary Care Trust has signed up to a national trial which encourages people to monitor and increase the amount of walking they do each day.
Experts say that most people take about 3,000 to 4,000 steps a day but to stay healthy the figure should be closer to 10,000.
Nurses, administration staff and managers have agreed to take part in Walking the Way to Health, alongside a number of patients.
Win Suggett, from the trust, said: "Everyone will be issued with a Step-o-Meter which clips on to your waistband and counts every step you take.
"In the first week this will monitor and assess how far people walk, and from there the aim will be to increase the walking rate."
A monthly mileage sheet will be completed and there will be a league table of distances covered, with prizes for those who walk the most.
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