PARENTS are being encouraged to get healthy - while learning about the history of their town.

SureStart Stockton is inviting people to go along to Stockton Heritage Trail after it opens on Friday, September 9.

Based at Stockton Town Hall, it is being run to celebrate Heritage Open Days.

Events will run from 11am to 3pm and will feature fun and interesting activities, including stories and songs about Stockton's heritage by storyteller Tony Wilson. There will also be guided walks and children's craft activities.

SureStart Stockton has worked with English Heritage, North East Museums Hub, Stockton Museum Service and Stockton Tourism Service, as well as a number of families, to create a family-friendly trail providing the opportunity for gentle exercise, while also celebrating the heritage of buildings in the town.

All the activities provided are free.

For details, call Melanie Brown on (01642) 527194.

Melanie Brown, SureStart reader development officer, said: "This will be an exciting day for all the family to learn together about the wonderful cultural heritage Stockton has to offer."

Once families have completed the trail, they can collect their free certificates from the Green Dragon Museum and stop at the Family-Friendly Corner, which includes Victorian dressing-up costumes and real Victorian artefacts.

All the activities provided are free.

For more information about Stockton Heritage Trail, call Ms Brown on (01642) 527194.