SIXTY young people who have been finding alternative ways of being active celebrated the success of their project with a disco at a Bishop Auckland school.

Many of the dancers at the party in Bishop Barrington's new sports hall were meeting up for the first time after taking part in separate adventure camps in Wear Valley and Teesdale.

They were chosen for an Active Choice project run by the Durham Dales Local Exercise Action Pilot (Leap), which is funded by the Department of Health, the Countryside Agency and Sport England.

Over the past two years, Leap has organised activities including abseiling, gorge walks, circuit training, gardening and tai chi.

Thirty young people, who are all aged between 12 and 14, joined in the eight-mile Great North Walk last summer, completing a transformation from an inactive lifestyle which was designed to reduce the risk of them developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity.

Results from the pilot will be assessed over the next few months and the project could be copied across the country.

Leap co-ordinator Dave Allen said: "It really has been successful and we hope it will continue. Being associated with the project has raised their self-esteem and self-confidence.

"Leap is designed for kids who wouldn't take part in traditional team sports but who could benefit from alternative ways of being active.

"By taking part they have helped us to do research for a national project and enjoy getting fitter at the same time."