A PILOT health scheme for sheltered housing residents is being expanded.

District nurse Julie Knevitt helped pioneer the health promotion scheme with a six-week course at Avon Court, Newton Aycliffe.

She said: "A lot of nursing homes and residential establishments in Newton Aycliffe have the opportunity to speak to health professionals.

"But these ladies in sheltered accommodation only ring us or we come to see them when a problem arises. Instead of them coming to us, we thought we would come to them."

A strategy group was formed to devise a programme of activities, including visits from various health professionals.

Topics included healthy lifestyle tips and safety and speakers included a community policeman and pharmacist. Each session was rounded off with a spot of chair aerobics.

Mrs Knevitt, who is based at the Pease Way Medical Centre and is employed by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust, said: "We gave the ladies evaluation forms and they came back as very very favourable."

One Avon Court resident said: "We used to look forward to it every Monday afternoon and we miss it."

Another said: "I think it was highly commendable and a stout effort. It definitely worked here and hopefully it'll work at other places as well."

The team plans to take the course to other sheltered accommodation.