FREE afternoons of activities and taster sessions to improve the health of people over 50 are to be held at a Newton Aycliffe carers centre.

Activities at the Pioneering Care Centre will include tai chi, sessions in the hydrotherapy pool, a complementary therapy demonstration, and a featured health topic for the month.

The health topic for the session on Monday, November 18, is medicine management. On Monday, December 9 the topic will be stress management.

Gill MacNab, events and participation worker at the Pioneering Care Centre, said: "This new scheme is a great opportunity for participants to obtain information on leading a healthier lifestyle whilst having fun and of course it is completely free."

The scheme, which is organised by the Pioneering Care Partnership and Age Concern Durham County, is open to individuals and groups of up to 15 people. Places are limited, so early booking is advised.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Your Health 50 Plus initiative, or wishing to book a place, should contact Becky Gustard at the Pioneering Care Centre on (01325) 321234, or Minicom (01325) 313133.