A scheme to promote healthier lifestyles in the workplace, which is the first of its kind in the country, was launched yesterday.

The One Step - Fit for Work campaign has been set up to encourage local employers and their staff to become more active while at work.

Durham Dales and Easington Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are behind the initiative, and will work with local businesses in the Wear Valley, Teesdale and Easington districts.

The campaign was launched at a conference in Bishop Auckland Town Hall yesterday, to about 50 employers. They viewed presentations and case studies, and were also able to test equipment such as the InBody 720 body compression machine, which measures body fat, water retention and overall fitness.

Project co-ordinator Kathryn Lewis said that the scheme was designed to show, rather than simply tell, people how they can get fitter at work.

She said: "There's a lot of people saying 'this is what you should be doing', but what they're not saying is how you do it. This is where the project comes in. It's the only one of its kind in the country.

"We are hoping to give people the opportunity to overcome the personal and social barriers preventing them from making active lifestyle choices. What is important is that we make these choices fun and interesting."

Businesses who sign up will be given a 12-week supervised programme of activities based on feedback from internal assessment, and their progress will be monitored.

At the end of each programme, it is hoped that groups and individuals will be persuaded to continue with a lifestyle at work.

The One Step project is a two-year initiative jointly funded by the Big Lottery, Sport England, and Easington and Durham Dales PCTs. Special areas will be developed within community and leisure facilities across the districts, such as gyms and the Wellness on Wheels scheme.

These will allow businesses to join organised programmes, tailored to meet the needs of each individual workforce during the three-month periods.

Ms Lewis said: "Some people who have gone straight into work from education have not done exercise in 20 or 30 years.

"We're trying to change the lifestyle of these people."