A NORTH-EAST council is doing its bit for European Safety and Health Week by launching a free stress awareness initiative for staff.

Teesdale District Council has given employees the chance to take part in stress awareness sessions and free blood pressure and cholesterol testing, to run in conjunction with the international initiative, which despite its title will run for approximately four weeks in European countries.

The council will also run a gym membership incentive scheme and release a health manual as part of the event, to help workers that want to get fit or lose weight.

The authority has received support from the Health and Safety Executive, Unison, the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the Upper Teesdale Advice and Support Service (UTASS) and Barnard Castle Auction Mart.

In addition, health and safety information packs will be delivered free of charge to farms across the dale using refuse vehicles, as part of the scheme.

The packs will also include topics on working safely with farm machinery, safety for children on the farm, sheep dipping, preventing farm transport accidents and risk assessments in agriculture.

Councillor Richard Betton, who also works for UTASS, said: "I very much endorse the council's involvement in the European Union Safety and Health Awareness Week, and its active promotion of safety issues".

Any farmers who do not receive a pack can contact Phil Barber at the National Farmers' Union office in Galgate, Barnard Castle, by telephoning (01833) 638286, or Barnard Castle Auction Mart on (01833) 638286.