ALMOST £1m is to be spent trying to improve the health of young people in Derwentside.

The money, from the National Lottery New Opportunities Fund, will help to turn a village hall into a healthy living centre.

The Young and Fit in Derwentside scheme will target people aged up to 25. Run by Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT), it will address substance misuse, sexual health, teenage pregnancy, under-age drinking, malnutrition and poor mental health.

A large proportion of the money will be spent converting the former Co-operative Society Hall in Dipton, into The Store, a one-stop shop to encourage youngsters to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Services include alternative education through art and theatre, counselling and complementary therapies such as massage. There will be advice on eating well, cookery courses, shopping on a budget and exercise classes.

An allotment promotion scheme will also be set up to rejuvenate allotments and encourage a broader take-up by people of all ages.

Advisors will work with homeless people to enable them to live independently.

Staff will also work closely with pupils aged 11 to 16 from six of the district's comprehensive schools and two special schools, through their personal and social health education classes.

The youngsters will take part in art, dance, music and drama sessions as part of a five-year research project called Emotional Intelligence.

Kim McGarry, the PCT's health promotions specialist for young people, said: "It will bring together a series of projects under one roof that will help young people make better decisions and enhance their life chances, whether it is on housing or drugs."