A MOBILE gym to help people in rural areas get fit was launched yesterday.

The first mobile fitness centre of its kind in the world, the Wellness On Wheels trailer aims to change the lifestyle of North-Easterners by bringing top-class exercise facilities to people's doors.

The initiative, based on a trailer used by Michael Schumacher's Ferrari racing team, has already attracted the interest of the England Cricket Board.

Three weeks ago, representatives from the board toured the new trailer.

England's cricket officials are not the only ones interested in the experiment, in Wear Valley, County Durham.

Technogym, the company that designed, built and equipped the trailer, revealed it has had a number of approaches from other councils, including several in the North-East.

Yesterday, Councillor Neil Stonehouse, the leader of Wear Valley District Council, cut a ribbon in Crook Market Place and opened the project.

Beginning on September 19 the gym, with its cavernous, Tardis-like trailer, will begin visiting the communities of Wear Valley.

The aim, against the background of some of the worst health statistics in England, is to encourage people to take up regular physical exercise.

If the project succeeds, it could provide an example to the rest of the country.

Attending the launch was Coun Stonehouse, Ken Ross, from Durham Dales Primary Care Trust, and Barry Nelson, The Northern Echo's health editor.

All the organisations, as well as Sport England, Northumbrian Water and Technogym, have come together to make the project a reality.

Most of the money has come from Sport England, which has given £640,000 towards the £1.1m three-year project.

Mr Stonehouse thanked Sport England, "which have recognised what we are trying to do in Wear Valley and have matched their support with hard cash to enable it to happen".

Mr Ross said the project could improve the health of many people.

Mr Nelson said the unveiling of the trailer was another step forward in The Northern Echo's Chance To Live campaign to reduce coronary heart disease and promote better health in the North-East.