A SCHEME to encourage people in Sedgefield to live healthier lives is celebrating six months of success.

The Passport to Health Project was set up following a successful bid to the National Lottery Healthy Living Centre funding programme.

Various schemes have been launched across the borough and more than 382 people have taken part in the project, which is half way through the first of three years.

Programmes to encourage people to stop smoking have just finished in Ferryhill and Newton Aycliffe and more dates are now being arranged.

Courses in adopting a healthy lifestyle have been organised in Fishburn and Trimdon Village and others are due to start in September in Ferryhill and Chilton.

These courses include healthy cooking, basic first aid, gentle exercise and holistic therapies to deal with stress and weight management.

In Fishburn, the first community allotment scheme is under way and another is planned for Trimdon Village.

This scheme aims to encourage people to become more active and stay fit by tending to their home-grown produce.

Over the three years that the Passport to Health Project is running, Groundwork East Durham hopes to transform seven derelict community allotment plots into thriving gardens.

For more information on the Passport to Health Project, or to find out about Passport to Health Courses in your area, contact Lisa Nevens, Passport to Health co-ordinator, at the Pioneering Care Centre on (01325) 321234.